End-of-Life Issues: Hospice and Palliative Care

Using a multidisciplinary team approach, the primary goals of hospice and palliative care are to provide symptom control, psychosocial and spiritual care, and optimal quality of life. The role of hospice and palliative care is rapidly expanding due to a better understanding of end-of-life issues by healthcare professionals.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe end-of-life issues in hospice and palliative care, including the specific characteristics of hospice and palliative care and the similarities and differences in hospice and palliative care for both adults and children.

Course Objectives:

1. Define hospice care and the services it provides.
2. Explain the management of pain and nonpain symptoms.
3. Define palliative care.
4. Describe palliative care services for the seriously ill.
5. List important aspects of palliative care from the patient's perspective.
6. Discuss the similarities and differences of hospice and palliative care.
7. Describe issues related to providing quality end-of-life care.
8. Examine goals of care for the dying patient.
9. Describe holistic palliative care for the dying child.