For Health Care Providers
End of Life Conversations
If you would like additional information, please call 412-692-4834 or
e-mail Dr. Robert Arnold at rabob@pitt.edu.
Palliative care is the management of the physical, social, and
spiritual needs of patients for whom a cure is not possible. It is
especially suited to people with progressive, life-limiting
illnesses.
The goal of palliative care is to achieve the best possible
quality of life through relief of suffering, control of symptoms,
and restoration of functional capacity, while remaining sensitive
to the values of the patient and family. Palliative care affirms
life and views dying as a natural process that is a profoundly
personal experience for the patient and his or her family.
Palliative care guides the patient and family as they face disease
progression and helps those who wish to address issues of life
completion and life closure.
The Section on Palliative Care is a multidisciplinary
team dedicated to providing comprehensive and coordinated
palliative care to patients and their families. The team consists
of a physician, certified nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse, pharmacist, and
psychologist, all with special expertise and experience in
palliative care. The team also acts as a liaison with social
workers, chaplains from all faiths, and dietitians.
The team can assist with issues such as:
- management of symptoms, including pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and delirium
- negotiating the goal of treatment and end-of-life decision making
- psychological or spiritual counseling for patient and family
- discharge planning and interface with hospices
- bereavement services
The palliative care program supports the attending physician and
other health care providers; it does not replace the patient's
established health care team.
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