Those of us who have or know someone with a serious illness understand the toll it can take on the body and mind. The effects of illness are difficult enough to experience. But sometimes living with the side effects of illness can be tough, too. Serious illnesses can require medications that sometimes cause unpleasant symptoms. Being seriously ill can be stressful and cause some people to be depressed. It is tough on the people caring for those who are ill. Fortunately, more and more doctors have a way to treat the difficulties of being seriously ill—with palliative care.
“Palliative care focuses on patients with serious illnesses and what can be done to improve their quality of life,” says Robert M. Arnold, MD, professor of medicine, of psychiatry, and of family medicine; director, Clinical Ethics Training Program, Institute to Enhance Palliative Care, and Institute for Doctor-Patient Communication, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and professor of clinical and translational science.
The word “palliate” means to ease harmful or harsh effects. During illnesses, palliative care can help patients and their caregivers experience a better quality of life. For instance, if a patient has cancer and has pain because of it, Dr. Arnold would try to improve the pain. If that patient has nausea because of the cancer medication, he would treat the nausea. If family members need care, they can receive it. Patients can also receive resources to help with practical concerns, like insurance or legal questions.
Doctors provide palliative care in hospitals, doctors’ offices, with nurses in nursing homes and with patients in community settings or in their homes. Palliative care doctors work with patients’ primary care or any specialty care doctors who are treating the cause of the illness.
[pullquote]“We like to think of it as other doctors focus on treating the patient’s primary illness. We focus on the burden of the illness,” says Dr. Arnold. “Doctors are trying to do the best they can for patients. Until recently, medical education has not focused on palliative care and easing the burden of disease. I’m impressed by how much doctors want to provide this kind of care. They want to learn more about how to make patients’ quality of life better.”[/pullquote]
Research shows that palliative care can help patients’ illnesses, too. In 2007, the Institute of Medicine report “Cancer Care for the Whole Patient” cited many studies that show patients are less able to stick to their treatment and manage their illness and health when physical and emotional problems are present. However, Dr. Arnold says that not enough research focuses on symptoms and how to best relieve them.
Palliative care is not the same as hospice care. Hospice care is provided when patients are at an advanced stage in an illness when it is clear that they are dying. Hospice care is meant to provide comfort and not treatment. In fact, Dr. Arnold says that confusion about the difference between palliative and hospice care can cause patients to refuse his care at first. “They’re worried that this means it’s the end of their lives,” he says. “Our job is to provide an extra layer of support.”
“When people have serious illness—like severe heart failure, kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—they don’t feel well. They feel as if they can’t do anything about it,” says Dr. Arnold. “People need to know there are things we can do to help. As we get older, most of us will have some kind of serious illness. It’s important to talk to your doctors and family members not just about the disease but about your quality of life.”
For anyone wanting more information about improving quality of life during serious illness, Dr. Arnold recommends having a conversation with his or her regular health care provider.
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
About Post Author
