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. 2011 Winter;11(4):348-52.

The role of palliative care at the end of life

Robin B Rome  1 , Hillary H Luminais, Deborah A Bourgeois, Christopher M Blais
Affiliations

The role of palliative care at the end of life

Robin B Rome et al. Ochsner J. 2011 Winter.

Abstract

The goal of palliative care is to relieve the suffering of patients and their families by the comprehensive assessment and treatment of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual symptoms experienced by patients. As death approaches, a patient's symptoms may require more aggressive palliation. As comfort measures intensify, so should the support provided to the dying patient's family. After the patient's death, palliative care focuses primarily on bereavement and support of the family.

Keywords: End of life; palliative care; symptom management.

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Figures

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Models of healthcare delivery. (Reproduced with permission from the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care. 2008.)
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