The word ‘palliation’ comes from the Latin word ‘palliere’, which means to cover or cloak. Palliation is the active total care of patients whose disease no longer responds to curative treatment. The term ‘palliative care’ was initially used exclusively for those patients with cancer but the use of the term has now expanded to include patients with other life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Palliative care aims to make the end of a person’s life as comfortable as possible by attempting to relieve pain and other distressing symptoms while providing psychological, social and spiritual support.
Palliation of symptoms should not only be considered in the terminal phases of illness. Renal cancer patients may need access to palliative care services almost from the point of diagnosis, particularly for help in dealing with social, spiritual and psychological issues. Carers and family may also be offered emotional and spiritual support to ensure a ‘holistic’ approach to palliative care.
Note for non-UK nurses. Although the principles supporting palliative care are generally similar across the world, there are many differences in the way palliative care services are structured and provided to patients and families. It would be impossible for this Module to cover all of these differences and therefore you will find that the content is UK-focused. Do not be put off by this, you will find there is plenty to learn from reading about the UK’s system and comparing it to your own.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this Module learners will be able to:
- Define palliative care and explain the multi-disciplinary team approach to palliation
- Be aware of the End-of-Life Care Strategy
- Recall the palliative treatment options for renal cancer patients.