1.2 - What is a Palliative Approach to Care?
"Palliative approach to care is focused on the relief of suffering, while integrating psychosocial and spiritual aspects of care important to the patient/family. It does not link the provision of care with prognosis, but instead focuses on conversations with people about their needs, values and wishes.
"Based on the patient's wishes, the palliative care philosophy is applicable at any time of the illness journey, in conjunction with other therapies intended to prolong life, and includes investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications. It neither hastens nor postpones death but sets out to preserve the best possible quality of life to support a natural death."
Definition adapted from: World Health Organization, WHO Definition of Palliative Care and Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, The way forward national framework: A roadmap for an integrated palliative approach to care.
