Medicines used in Palliative Care: Introduction
Medicines used in Palliative Care
INTRODUCTION
Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients facing life-threatening illnesses and their family members, regardless of whether or not they also receive life-prolonging treatment. It requires a multidisciplinary approach, and aims to address physical, psychological, spiritual and social problems.
General principles of palliative care include:
- Treat the underlying causes of symptoms;
- Minimise medicine side effects; and
- Ensure that the patient and caregivers are informed of the nature of the disease, treatment, side-effects, and likely outcomes
Palliative care patients who are down-referred from higher levels of care with a care plan should be managed according to that plan. Palliative care patients should be assessed by community-based palliative care teams where available.
The SPICTTM-SA is a generic tool (https://www.spict.org.uk/the-spict/spict-sa/), designed for the South African setting, to help identify adults with advanced life-limiting illnesses when the best available and appropriate treatment has been given and their condition continues to deteriorate.
LoE:IVb1
|
Always refer to the latest National Department of Health Guidelines on Palliative Care |
Note:
Please be advised that the recommendations in this chapter are directed at treating common symptoms alongside disease directed care and symptoms associated with endof-life care.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-2024_Version 1.0_07 November 2024
Chapter 22: Medicines Used in Palliative Care_Introduction