What is the primary aim of palliative care?

The primary aim of palliative care is to enhance the quality of life and alleviate suffering for patients facing serious, life-limiting illnesses. This approach is centered around providing holistic support that addresses not only the physical symptoms of the disease but also considers emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Palliative care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team that collaborates with patients and their families to create a care plan that prioritizes comfort, dignity, and support throughout the illness trajectory, regardless of the stage of disease or need for other therapies.

While curing chronic diseases and providing long-term rehabilitation can be components of healthcare, they are not the primary focus of palliative care. Similarly, although end-of-life decisions are important within this context, palliative care extends beyond just end-of-life. It is applicable at any stage of a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments, making the emphasis on quality of life and symptom management key to its purpose.