NEWS
West Virginia Bureau for Public Health
Palliative Care : Helping Patients Cope with a Serious Life-Limiting Illness
Palliative care access remains a challenge across West Virginia . The State Advisory Coalition on Palliative Care , in conjunction with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health , strives to increase awareness of the availability and benefits of this service , which aligns with many of the state ’ s goals to improve a patient ’ s healthcare experience and quality of care .
Palliative care empowers people to live as fully as possible , surrounded and supported by family and loved ones , despite serious , though not necessarily terminal , illnesses . Palliative care is not hospice end-of-life care ( EOLC ), but a board-certified medical specialty for people with serious illness focusing on providing relief from symptoms , pain , and stress of the illness . Palliative care — also referred to as supportive care or advanced illness care — is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided with curative treatment in any setting as well as assisting with transitioning to EOLC .
Services are provided on an interdisciplinary team-based model of care designed to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for patients and families through pain management and symptom control , caregiving training and assistance , and emotional and spiritual support . The interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals includes physicians , advanced practice providers , nurses , social workers , counselors , and other specialists to help navigate the challenges of coping with a serious life-limiting illness .
Each year , an estimated 40 million people are in need of palliative care , and worldwide only about 14 % of people who need palliative care currently receive this important benefit . 1 Studies consistently show improvement in both quality measures and resource utilization once palliative care is introduced . Early delivery of palliative care reduces unnecessary hospital admissions and use of health services . By providing this important benefit , patients and families have more control over their care and the ability to improve their everyday life . To start or strengthen your palliative care program , visit the National Center to Advance Palliative Care at www . capc . org or the West Virginia Center for End of Life Care at www . wvendoflife . org .
REFERENCES
1 . Palliative Care , World Health Organization , August 5 , 2020 .
Screening
Diagnosis
Active disease directed treatment
Curative Care
Minimal disease directed treatment
Palliative Care
Course of Illness
No disease Death directed treatment
Bereavement
EOLC
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