Palliative care physicians are medical professionals specialized in alleviating suffering for individuals grappling with serious illnesses or those in need of end-of-life care. Unlike most healthcare providers who focus on diagnosing and treating illnesses, palliative care physicians adopt a different approach, especially when catering to individuals nearing the end of their lives.
These individuals often face challenges like depression, pain, a desire for dignity, control, and sometimes loneliness, especially as they tend to be older. They may also have heightened sensitivity to medications, leading to adverse interactions. Palliative care physicians are trained to address these physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs, working closely with a team to assist individuals and their families in making informed decisions regarding their care.
What Does a Palliative Care Physician Do?
They aim to provide comfort and enhance the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. This care can be provided alongside curative care, which aims to treat the body’s ailments. They are often involved in hospice care for individuals in their last months of life, working with a multidisciplinary team that may include nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and volunteers.
Their primary focus is on pain and symptom management, as well as addressing the stress associated with illnesses, such as treatment side effects and caregiver fatigue.
Education and Training
The journey to becoming a palliative care physician involves a rigorous educational path. After completing 4 years of medical school, they undergo 3 to 7 years of residency in one of the main specialties like anesthesiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry and neurology, radiology, or surgery.
Following residency, they take a board certification exam and complete a one-year fellowship in the subspecialty of hospice and palliative care. After passing a subspecialty board certification exam, they are qualified to practice as palliative care physicians.
When Do People Need a Palliative Care Physician?
Individuals with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease, especially when death is imminent or near, should consider seeing a palliative care physician. They are also beneficial for those in need of end-of-life or hospice care.
It’s advisable not to wait until an illness has advanced severely to consult a palliative care physician. They can help prevent some severe symptoms or side effects, improving the quality of life, and will collaborate with other doctors to help achieve the individual’s healthcare goals.
What to Expect?
During a consultation with a palliative care physician, they will discuss how the care team can assist, explore treatment options, and address any questions. The focus of palliative care is on the patient, ensuring they have a say in their care needs and treatment approach. Family involvement in the care process is encouraged as it can be crucial for the individual’s health and well-being.