5-01: Definition & Scope

Palliative care is medical care focused on improving quality of life for people living with serious illness. Serious illness is defined as “a condition that carries a high risk of mortality, negatively impacts quality of life and daily function, and/or is burdensome in symptoms, treatments or caregiver stress.” Palliative care addresses physical and psychological symptoms, helps ensure that care aligns with patients’ preferences and goals through clear communication, and supports patients and their loved ones who are facing serious illness. Randomized studies have shown that palliative care provided alongside life-prolonging treatment throughout the course of a serious illness can reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and even prolong life in some situations. Near the end of life, palliative care may become the sole focus of care.

While specialty palliative care is a medical subspecialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, The Joint Commission, and other governing bodies around the world, and is typically provided by an interdisciplinary team of experts, all clinicians should have the skills to provide “primary palliative care” including routinely identifying and taking initial steps to manage symptoms; communicating about prognosis and eliciting patients’ preferences for care; and helping address sources of distress.