Palliative Care Guidelines Focus on Interdisciplinary Care and Coordination

According to a member of the guidelines committee, the latest clinical practice guidelines from the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care underscore the importance of interdisciplinary care and care coordination when patients move from home to home. one institution at the other.

Betty Ferrell, PhD, MA, FAAN, FPCN, Co-Chair of the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care, met with Healio family medicine before the publication of the guidelines. She encouraged primary care physicians and palliative care specialists to work together to make recommendations for care in all areas, including physical, psychosocial and spiritual care.

"People living with a critical illness can benefit from palliative care to relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Palliative care specialists provide this care and are available to help and consult with primary care physicians, "she said.

"Primary care physicians should be key providers of palliative care as part of their commitment to quality, patient-centered care. They manage patients as soon as they are diagnosed and support them in all care settings. They also develop strong relationships with patients, which is important to help them and their families define their care goals and make important treatment decisions, "said Ferrell.

This fourth version of the guidelines also reflects the changing landscape of population health and the fact that people from all age groups may need palliative care, she said.

"This edition responds to the growing recognition in society that people living with critical illness have a tremendous burden and need. Palliative care focuses on this care from the initial diagnosis and is provided regardless of the prognosis. As our population ages, we recognize that people with heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease and cancer, as well as other diseases, can significantly affect quality of life. Palliative care also applies to critically ill children, from infants in neonatal care units to adolescents and young adults with serious illnesses. "

The guidelines include specific clinical and organizational strategies, elements, tools and resources for screening and assessment, as well as examples of practices and treatment considerations.

Ferrell said Healio family medicine this 60 professionals and 16 national organizations representing palliative care were consulted to develop the guidelines. Then, the RAND evidence-based practice center and clinical experts conducted a systematic review of the guidelines before they were published.

The guidelines have been endorsed by more than 80 medical organizations, including the American Board of Medicine, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association, and the American Heart Association. American Geriatrics Society, according to the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. – by Janel Miller

Disclosure:
Ferrell does not report any relevant financial information. Healio family medicine unable to determine the relevant financial information of other authors prior to publication.