Written By: Mark Angelo, MD, FACP, Director, Palliative Care Program at Cooper
In a typical scenario, I run into an old friend in the supermarket. Inevitably, the question comes up, “So tell me, what is it that you do again?”
“I am a Palliative Care Specialist,” I proudly respond.
I have come to expect the response. It is accompanied by a bit of unease, “And what exactly is that?”
There are so many things to say about the new field of Palliative Medicine that it seems difficult to sum up in a sentence or two.
Palliative care is the relatively new specialty of medicine that involves the comprehensive treatment of the discomfort, symptoms, and stress of serious illness. Palliative Care treatment plans begin with a comprehensive pain and symptom assessment, and utilize a multidisciplinary team approach to alleviate patient discomfort and patient and family anxieties.
Palliative Care puts the patient and family at the center of attention and identifies issues that have an impact on a person’s quality of life and eliminates or minimizes these problems. Often these issues can include pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety and the list goes on and on. Palliative care is delivered in conjunction with current therapies for severe illnesses such as chemotherapy, or surgery. In fact, it has been found that the presence of such intense management of symptoms alone by a qualified palliative care team will not only improve one’s quality of life, but also can extend the length of life in severe disease.
Palliative care recognizes the importance of the mind-body connection and addresses psychological, social and spiritual concerns – all to achieve the best quality of life possible for each patient.
“Hmm, sounds like difficult work,” my old friend replies.
While I acknowledge the emotional and sometimes technical challenges of the field, I often respond that this is probably the most rewarding work a physician can do. As a Palliative Care specialist, when I walk out of a room, people have clarity of their treatment plan moving forward, they have a partner to walk with them through their journey with their illness, and I get to make an impact on their lives at sometimes a very critical nexus.
Meeting people where they are with their values, goals, and lifestyle to make a positive impact on their lives and that of their families are what happens every day in the world of palliative care.
I smile as I complete the encounter with my friend thinking, “Educated one more.”