What is Palliative Medicine?
Palliative Medicine is an approach that impacts the quality of life for patients and their families facing the problems associated with life threatening illness, through the prevention and treatment of pain and other symptoms, and addressing psychological, social and spiritual needs. At the same time your regular physician focuses on treating your illness, the Palliative Medicine service works to support the best possible quality of life for you and your family.
What does Palliative Medicine offer you?
- Expert treatment for relief of your symptoms
- Close communication about your condition and choices for medical care
- Emotional and spiritual support for you and you family when making difficult medical decisions
- Coordination of care among all of your health care providers
- Support in resolving questions about goals of care, which often change as serious illness progresses
Things you should know about Palliative Care
- Palliative Medicine is not the same as hospice care
- Unlike hospice care, which is intended for people in the final months of life, you can receive palliative medicine support at the same time you are receiving standard medical care
It’s never too early to begin palliative care
Palliative Medicine support should occur at the same time as all other treatments for your illness. It does not depend upon your prognosis, so there’s no reason to wait. Pain and other symptoms affect your quality of life and the stress can have a big impact on your family.
Your insurance may cover palliative care
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover palliative care services. Pacific Cancer Care has billing specialists that will contact your insurance company for you to verify benefits.
