The Role of Our Palliative Medicine Doctor in Pain Relief

In this article:

  • What Does a Palliative Medicine Doctor Do? We Examine 7 Facets of Care
  • Do Palliative Medicine Doctors Work With Other Healthcare Providers?
  • Those Receiving Palliative Care Live Longer According to a Research Study
  • How Is a Palliative Medicine Doctor Different From a Hospice Doctor?
  • The Palliative Medicine Doctors of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Are Dedicated to Your Well-Being

When someone you love has received a devastating diagnosis of a serious illness, you don’t want pain or troublesome symptoms to get in the way of making precious memories with them. You want to enjoy every moment together, and our palliative medicine doctors are a big part of that equation.

Palliative care is designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals of all ages and at any stage of a serious illness. Its primary focus is on relieving pain and symptoms, offering comfort, support, and compassionate care through our experienced palliative medicine doctors.

In this article, we’ll examine the role of these medical professionals, what they do, and what sets them apart from other specialists.

At Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, our palliative medicine doctors are key members of our healthcare team. They tailor pain management strategies based on the patient’s unique symptoms and medical history. They are attuned to the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to pain management—not only concentrating on the physical stress but also taking into account the emotional and psychological toll.

Have you or your loved one recently received a serious diagnosis like liver disease, COPD, or ALS? Contact us to learn how our palliative care can help you.

hospice vs. palliative care

What Does a Palliative Medicine Doctor Do? We Examine 7 Facets of Care

These doctors focus on improving the quality of life for those who have serious, chronic, life-limiting illnesses by alleviating pain and reducing anxiety. The aspects of a palliative medicine doctor’s role include:

1. Symptom Management

We mentioned this earlier because it is one of the primary roles of palliative care physicians. Not only do they help manage issues like nausea, pain, fatigue, and respiratory problems, but they also help alleviate the anxiety, depression, and stress faced by many with serious illnesses.

2. Communication and Support

At Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, our palliative care physicians realize that open, honest, and compassionate communication is a vital part of education for the entire family. They may provide in-depth information about the illness, prognosis, and treatment options. They may even discuss your goals of care to ensure that any decisions will be in accordance with your wishes and values.

3. Coordinating Care with Other Specialists

Your palliative doctor will work closely with your regular physician and other members of your healthcare team. This may involve oncologists, neurologists, or cardiologists. By working with you, palliative medicine doctors can help you navigate the healthcare system.

4. Transitioning to Hospice Care 

For patients who need end-of-life care or are preparing to enter a hospice, these palliative doctors can ensure a seamless transition of care, providing additional support to the patient and their family.

At Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, we’ve received extensive recognition for the quality of our services. This quality goes far beyond symptom management to caring for the entire family. In addition, we’re a non-profit hospice. That means we’ll never turn someone away based on their ability to pay.

5. Assessing and Diagnosing Pain

Palliative medicine doctors realize there are different types of pain, and everyone experiences pain differently. They closely examine the type of pain, its intensity, and its impact on the patient’s daily life.

6. Developing a Personalized Pain Management Plan

We believe in educating our patients on every aspect of their care, and this includes what medications would be best as well as more holistic solutions such as physical therapy, massage and relaxation techniques.

7. Ongoing Monitoring

Our palliative care doctors understand that our patients need consistent monitoring in order to assess their pain levels and make adjustments when it is needed.

Do Palliative Medicine Doctors Work With Other Healthcare Providers? 

We touched on this a bit above. Yes, our palliative medicine doctors work extensively with your other healthcare providers to ensure a solid continuum of care. This advantage allows comprehensive communication across specialties.

What do we mean by a continuum of care?

This term means providing consistent and coordinated healthcare over an extended period. It ensures seamless care no matter what your stage of treatment. It also means keeping your healthcare team informed about your latest condition and any health challenges you’re facing.

Those Receiving Palliative Care Live Longer According to a Research Study

One study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was conducted at the nationally recognized Massachusetts General. It revealed that patients with end-stage lung cancer who received palliative care immediately after diagnosis not only experienced less pain but were also more mobile and happier.

Perhaps most interestingly, they lived almost three months longer.

How Is a Palliative Medicine Doctor Different From a Hospice Doctor?

First, while a palliative care doctor can provide care at any age and any stage of a serious illness, hospice physicians specialize in end-of-life care for those who have six months or less to live.

Palliative care physicians can work with patients while they are still receiving treatments to cure or slow down the disease. However, hospice physicians focus on patients who are no longer receiving curative treatment and focus more on comfort care.

In short, palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments, while hospice care is specifically for those nearing the end of life, focusing solely on comfort and quality of life.

The Palliative Medicine Doctors of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Are Dedicated to Your Well-Being

Pain is one of the top concerns patients express when they enter palliative or hospice care, which is why the expertise of pain management physicians is essential to the care we provide.

We pledge to provide timely, effective pain relief and care for your entire family through our counseling services. Remember, we are available to help you 24/7 and will not leave you to face this journey alone.

Have you been diagnosed with a serious illness, and you think palliative care is right for you? Don’t delay. Getting help early can make a dramatic difference in the quality of your life. Simply contact us to get started. We’ll answer all your questions and would consider it a privilege to care for you.

Key Takeaways:

  • Palliative doctors are crucial in providing pain and symptom relief, enabling patients to have a higher quality of life.
  • These physicians work with other doctors throughout all specialties, from oncologists to cardiologists.
  • Palliative care physicians can treat patients at any age or stage of illness. By contrast, hospice doctors only provide comfort care for those with six months or less to live.
  • Palliative care doctors monitor patient symptoms, set treatment goals, coordinate care with other specialists, manage pain, and can help the patient transition to hospice care when appropriate.

 

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Sources:

McNeil Jr., Donald, “Palliative Care Extends Life, Study Finds,” The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/health/19care.html