Palliációs

Palliációs refers to a branch of medicine focused on relieving the symptoms and improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious illness. It is not a cure for the underlying disease but rather aims to alleviate suffering, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This approach can be applied at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life, and can be provided alongside curative treatments.

The core principles of palliációs include effective pain management, relief from other distressing symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and comprehensive support for the patient and their family. This support often involves addressing psychological distress, facilitating communication about care goals, and providing practical assistance. Palliációs teams can be multidisciplinary, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, all working collaboratively.

The goal of palliációs is to enhance comfort, dignity, and independence for patients, allowing them to live as fully as possible despite their illness. It emphasizes a patient-centered approach, understanding individual needs and preferences to tailor care accordingly. Early integration of palliációs care has been shown to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.