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The art of the possible – palliative care is the ultimate personalised medicine
Affiliations- IMPACCT, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia. 2007
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, University of Hull, Hull, England. HU6 7RX
- Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Bedford Park, South Australia. Australia. 5042
- Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia. Australia. 5042
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Abstract
How can we help people achieve their own goals with limited life expectancies? This is the “art of the possible”
in palliative care. Patients with a range of diagnoses are incredibly consistent in their expectations:
“please manage my physical symptoms (not as an end in itself and without affecting the clarity of my
thinking or communication) so that I can do the other things that are important in my life” – meaningful
time with family and friends, and physical independence for as long as possible. Each aspect of personhood
(physical, emotional, social, sexual and existential) is important at differing levels for every person as he/
she faces a life-limiting illness. Palliative care is the ultimate personalised medicine when we seriously seek
to address patients’ priorities.
Abstract
How can we help people achieve their own goals with limited life expectancies? This is the “art of the possible”
in palliative care. Patients with a range of diagnoses are incredibly consistent in their expectations:
“please manage my physical symptoms (not as an end in itself and without affecting the clarity of my
thinking or communication) so that I can do the other things that are important in my life” – meaningful
time with family and friends, and physical independence for as long as possible. Each aspect of personhood
(physical, emotional, social, sexual and existential) is important at differing levels for every person as he/
she faces a life-limiting illness. Palliative care is the ultimate personalised medicine when we seriously seek
to address patients’ priorities.
Keywords
palliative care, patient-centred care, priorities in care, symptom control, physical independence
About this articleTitle
The art of the possible – palliative care is the ultimate personalised medicine
Journal
Palliative Medicine in Practice
Issue
Article type
Brief communication
Pages
231-232
Published online
2020-11-23
Page views
417
Article views/downloads
461
DOI
Bibliographic record
Palliat Med Pract 2020;14(4):231-232.
Keywords
palliative care
patient-centred care
priorities in care
symptom control
physical independence
Authors
David Christopher Currow
Paul Kleinig
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- Delgado-Guay MO, Rodriguez-Nunez A, De la Cruz V, et al. Advanced cancer patients' reported wishes at the end of life: a randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer. 2016; 24(10): 4273–4281.
- Morgan DD, Currow DC, Denehy L, et al. Living actively in the face of impending death: constantly adjusting to bodily decline at the end-of-life. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2017; 7(2): 179–188.
- Currow DC, Rowett D, Doogue M, et al. An international initiative to create a collaborative for pharmacovigilance in hospice and palliative care clinical practice. J Palliat Med. 2012; 15(3): 282–286.
- Agar M, To T, Plummer J, et al. Anti-cholinergic load, health care utilization, and survival in people with advanced cancer: a pilot study. J Palliat Med. 2010; 13(6): 745–752.
