The HIN National Institute of Nursinf Research has released a newpatient-oriented brochureon palliative care: "Palliative Care: The Relief You Need When You’re Experiencing the Symptoms of Serious Illness," The brochure explains in easy-to-understand language what palliative care is, who it benefits, and how it works. The brochure also addresses certain misconceptions about palliative care, such as that it is only for the dying. (NIH press release 11-20-09)
Although the primary purpose of palliative care is to reduce pain and distressing symptoms, research has discovered it offers other benefits as well, including improvements in patient-provider communication, emotional support, and satisfaction with overall care.
The brochure also highlights:
how to decide if someone needs palliative care,
how to ask a health care provider for palliative care,
how palliative care differs from hospice care,
what kind of specialists participate on a palliative care team, and
Although the primary purpose of palliative care is to reduce pain and distressing symptoms, research has discovered it offers other benefits as well, including improvements in patient-provider communication, emotional support, and satisfaction with overall care.
The brochure also highlights: