paliyatif

Paliyatif, sometimes spelled paliatif, is the term used in several languages for palliative care, a medical approach focused on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for people with serious, life-threatening illnesses. It is not limited to end-of-life care and can be introduced early in the course of illness, alongside disease-directed treatments.

Palliative care aims to alleviate pain and other distressing physical symptoms while addressing psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients and their families. It is delivered by an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, chaplains, and other specialists. Care is provided across diverse settings, such as hospitals, hospices, outpatient clinics, and home-based programs.

Core principles include patient- and family-centered decision making, early integration into the overall care plan, and a focus on symptom management, clear communication, and advance care planning. Common tasks involve pain relief, management of nausea, fatigue, breathlessness, and other symptoms, as well as psychological and social support for both patients and caregivers.

Global recognition of palliative care emphasizes its role as a fundamental component of health care. The World Health Organization defines palliative care as an approach that improves quality of life for patients and families facing life-threatening illness through early identification, thorough assessment, and treatment of pain and other problems, including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects. Paliyatif services are increasingly incorporated into national health strategies as essential elements of comprehensive health care.