Abstract of Palliative Care

Palliative: A Concept Analysis
Abstract
Palliative: A Concept Analysis
Abstract

Palliative: A Concept Analysis
Purpose. The purpose of this analysis is to distinguish between palliative care and the hospice movement from which the concept of palliative care comes from. This study also identifies the distinguishing characteristics that surround modern palliative care.

Methods. Data was collected from interviews, journals, online articles, and books involving palliative care.
Findings. There has been significant change in palliative care since it first emerged. Literature has shown that the current concept of palliative is composed of six main elements: medical specialty, holistic care, individualized patient care, family support, interdisciplinary teamwork, and effective communication.
Conclusions. Analyzing the main concepts of palliative care narrows down the meaning of palliative care in order for healthcare professionals to better care for their patients. The concept has changed to encompass not only those patients who are considered to be dying but also those with need for an improvement in quality of life as a result of illness or life changing events. Certain criteria must be present in order to have palliative care. There has to be a progressive or life threatening illness with no possibility of remission or stabilization and whereby all possible medical interventions have been exhausted. There is no modification of treatment but symptom management. Its goal is to control pain and symptoms. It is holistic and involves not only the patient but also families. It also involves the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and relational aspects for the patient and family. Palliative care also involves a multidisciplinary team in order to effectively achieve its