palliativ

Palliativ is an approach in medicine aimed at improving the quality of life for people with serious illness and for their families. It focuses on relief from symptoms, pain, and stress, regardless of prognosis, with the goal of enhancing comfort and informed decision-making.

Core principles include early integration with ongoing disease-directed treatment, a multidisciplinary team, and patient- and family-centered care. The emphasis is on identifying goals of care, communicating clearly, and coordinating care across settings.

Palliativ care can be provided alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments and is not limited to the final weeks of life. It is offered in hospitals, dedicated palliative care units, hospices, or at home, and is applicable to a wide range of illnesses including cancer, heart, lung, and kidney diseases, dementia, and frailty.

Key components include symptom management (pain, dyspnea, nausea, fatigue), psychosocial and spiritual support, advance care planning, and caregiver guidance. An interdisciplinary team may include physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists.

Evidence indicates palliativ care improves quality of life and patient satisfaction, may reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and aggressive interventions, and helps families cope with caregiving. The concept originated in the modern hospice movement in the 20th century.