What is palliative care?

Palliative care aims to provide holistic care to patients with life-threatening illnesses, addressing their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. The multidisciplinary PC team consists of doctors, nurses, medical social workers, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians and speech therapists, etc.

Some people may regard palliative care as ‘giving up on cure’. Instead, it is an active approach to improve the quality of life with advanced illnesses by alleviating suffering. For example, if a patient with end-stage renal failure has decided not to consider dialysis, the PC team will continue to support him on disease management, including maintaining kidney function, stabilising blood pressure and blood glucose. The PC team will also provide pain management and appropriate medication to the patient to alleviate the symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath and vomiting. When the patient experiences emotional and psychosocial distress, including fear, worry, or even depression and anxiety, the PC team will provide support to the patient by reassuring the value of life.