What is the primary focus of palliative care?

The primary focus of palliative care is to provide relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. This type of care is centered around improving the quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of the illness or the need for other therapies. Palliative care aims to alleviate pain and discomfort, address emotional and psychological needs, and support decision-making regarding treatment options. It involves a multidisciplinary team approach to ensure comprehensive care that meets the individual needs of patients.

While curing the illness is a goal of many medical interventions, palliative care does not prioritize this aspect. Instead, it emphasizes comfort and quality of life, which is particularly important for patients with serious, often life-limiting conditions. Rehabilitation services, while important in many healthcare contexts, are not the central focus of palliative care either, as these pertain more to recovery and improvement of physical function rather than managing a serious illness. Conducting extensive medical research is not a function of palliative care; this focus is typically associated with academic or clinical research settings aimed at discovering new treatments or understanding diseases better.