Palliative treatment

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Palliative treatment is a form of medical care that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. Unlike other forms of medical treatment, palliative care does not aim to cure the patient's illness. Instead, it aims to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.

Definition[edit | edit source]

Palliative treatment, also known as Palliative care, is a specialized form of medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Purpose[edit | edit source]

The purpose of palliative treatment is to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients who are suffering from serious, often life-threatening illnesses. This can include treatment to relieve physical symptoms such as pain, nausea, and breathlessness, as well as emotional, social, and spiritual support.

Approach[edit | edit source]

Palliative treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach. This means it involves a team of health care professionals who work together to provide the patient with an individualized plan of care. This team can include doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other health care professionals.

Benefits[edit | edit source]

Palliative treatment can provide numerous benefits to patients and their families. It can help to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and provide emotional, social, and spiritual support. It can also help patients and their families to make important decisions about their care and treatment.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Palliative treatment Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD