ABOUT PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

Palliative medicine is the study and management of patients with active, progressive, advanced disease for whom the prognosis is limited and the focus of care is quality of life. Palliative medicine involves comprehensive symptom management and support of individuals with terminal illness and their families, including through the bereavement period, where the control of pain, of other symptoms and of psychological, social and spiritual problems is paramount [WHO 2003].

Many [doctors] move into this area later in their career bringing not only valuable human attributes but also skills gained from training and practice in areas such as radiation oncology, anaesthetics/pain management, general practice, and surgery. ¹

 ^{1 www.racp.edu.au/public/pallmed}