What are hospice and palliative medicine specialists?

Hospice and palliative medicine specialists are medical doctors who help prevent and relieve suffering of patients who have a serious illness or who have only a short time left to live. They work with a team of other professionals to address the needs of both the patient and loved ones. These specialists can help with relieving symptoms, coordinating care, making legal and ethical decisions and handling issues around death and dying. They can be board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine and other specialties.

Medical professionals who specialize in palliative care have an expertise in pain management and symptom control. These providers provide holistic care and can be consulted at any stage of a serious or life-threatening illness. Palliative care specialists work as part of the healthcare team to help alleviate suffering and they help to prevent or control unpleasant symptoms, regardless if the disease or disorder is curable, chronic or life-threatening. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care for people with a disease or disorder that is, most likely, not curable or the person has decided to stop seeking curative treatments. Hospice care is always palliative, but not all palliative care is hospice care. Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialists can help patients and families cope with stressful conditions and help people make informed decisions on their treatment options. The primary goal of hospice and palliative medicine is to help the patient maintain dignity, make informed decisions, and to achieve the highest quality of life possible.