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Specialized Palliative Care
Provided by a specially trained interdisciplinary team in a variety of settings
including hospice residences, hospitals, care facilities, and the home.
Incorporates pain management,
comfort care, therapies, and spiritual services. Respite care and
bereavement counselling are also available for the patient's family.
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Defining Palliative Care
Palliative care research suffers from the lack of a commonly accepted definition.
It has only been in recent years that palliative care has been recognized as a unique medical specialty.
Also, the variety of locations in which palliative care is delivered has added to the confusion. Compounding this is the
fact that care can be delivered by trained palliative practitioners, general practitioners, or untrained caregivers. For the purposes
of this study, and to promote quality palliative care we will use the 'Specialized Palliative Care' definition outlined below.
The more complete specialized model of care suits this research because of our overall goal of providing decision support for locating centralized
hubs of care, which will educate patients and practitioners, disseminate resources, and provide training to achieve full specialized palliative care
in all areas of British Columbia.
Specialized Palliative Care
A wide- ranging, holistic approach to care that is provided by specially trained physicians, nurses and practitioners in a variety of settings. This definition also
includes respite care, support, and bereavement counselling for the families and friends of palliative patients, and education for all palliative
stakeholders.
Basic Palliative Care
Basic palliative care is provided by general practitioners and other caregivers who do not necessarily possess training in palliative care
medicine and therapies.
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