Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides palliative care?
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A team of trained healthcare professionals who have clinical experience in disease processes, treatment options and symptom and pain management. In cooperation with your doctor, care usually involves doctors trained and board certified in palliative medicine, nursing staff with specialized skills, a case manager or social worker, a chaplain and a pharmacist. Other professionals such as nutritionists, therapists and volunteers may also work with the team.
What role does my doctor play?
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Your primary care doctor will continue to direct your care. The palliative care team members provide additional support and consultation to your primary care doctor. The healthcare team works together to provide the best care for you.
What type of patient benefits from palliative care?
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Any patient in the hospital who has a serious illness with an unpredictable prognosis such as advanced dementia, lung, heart, kidney disease or cancer can benefit from the many aspects of palliative care. Palliative care is best introduced early in the course of treatment, but it can help patients at all stages of an illness.
How does palliative care begin?
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If you or a family member is in the hospital with a serious illness that has an unpredictable prognosis, we encourage you to discuss your individual care plan, and symptom and pain management issues with your doctor. You and your doctor should discuss palliative care and whether it may be appropriate for your situation. Your doctor will determine if a referral to our consultation team is appropriate. Our team will respond promptly and review your medical history and current plan of care. We will also assess you and your family's needs and discuss our findings with your doctor.