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What is palliative care?

Palliative care is a medical subspecialty provided by doctors who offer medical care for people who are seriously ill. Palliative care relieves suffering and improves quality of life for people of any age, and at any stage in a serious illness, whether that illness is curable, chronic or life threatening.

Palliative care:

  • Provides relief from pain and other uncomfortable symptoms.
  • Assists you in making difficult medical decisions
  • Coordinates care with your other doctors and helps you navigate the often-complex health care system.
  • Guides you in making a plan for living well, based on your needs, concerns and goals for care.
  • Provides you and your loved ones emotional and spiritual support and guidance.

Who provides palliative care?

Palliative care is provided by a team that includes specialist doctors, nurses, social worker, counselor, volunteers and others.

What's the difference between palliative care and hospice care?

Palliative care is whole-person care that relieves symptoms of a disease or disorder whether or not it can be cured. You can receive palliative care at any stage of a serious illness, whether that illness is potentially curable, chronic or life threatening. Hospice is a specific type of palliative care for people who are likely to have very short to live. In other words, hospice care is always palliative, but not all-palliative care is hospice care.

What does a palliative doctor do that's different from what my other doctors do?

Your other doctors focus on your general health or treating your disease or condition. Palliative doctors concentrate on preventing and alleviating suffering and improving your quality of life, and help you and your loved ones cope with the stress and burden of your illness.

Shouldn't all my doctors be concerned with alleviating my suffering and improving my quality of life?

Yes, of course. But palliative doctors have special training and expertise in pain management and symptom control, and specialize in helping patients and their families cope with the many burdens of a serious illness, from the side effects of a medical treatment, to caregiver stress, to fears about the future. Palliative doctors can assist you with difficult medical decisions, helping you weigh the pros and cons of various treatments.

If I receive palliative or hospice care, will I still be able to see my personal doctor?

Absolutely. Your palliative doctor coordinates care with your other doctors and helps you navigate the often-complex health care system.

Is hospice just for the last few days or weeks of life?

Patient’s are eligible for hospice care if they have very short time to live (as prognosticated by the treating doctor). Unfortunately, most people don't receive hospice care until the final days of life, possibly missing out on weeks of helpful care and quality time.

If I agree to palliative care does that mean I'm "giving up?"

Not at all. The goal of palliative care is to make you comfortable and help you achieve the best possible quality of life. You can have palliative care while you are undergoing treatments that may cure or reverse the effects of your illness. In fact, palliative care can help you cope with aggressive treatments by getting your pain and symptoms under control to help you fight the disease.

How can I find palliative care?

Palliative care can be provided at a hospital, home, an assisted living facility or at hospice. There are a number of ways to find a doctor who specializes in palliative medicine, including asking your personal doctor to refer you to a palliative doctor or asking your local hospital if they have a palliative specialist. You can contact the Department of Palliative Medicine on 022-24174271 or visit Room No 115, Main Building Ground Floor, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012.

Could I become addicted to the medication used for my pain and symptoms?

Addiction to medication prescribed for pain relief is a common fear, but is not common. Palliative doctors are experts in preventing problems and side effects of strong pain medications. They also can help patients with addictions get pain relief.

Could taking pain medicine hasten my death?

Appropriately prescribed medicine will not hasten death. Your palliative doctor has the expertise to devise a medication plan that makes you comfortable, and is safe.

How do I know that I'm receiving the most beneficial or appropriate treatment?

Palliative doctors are concerned about you as a whole person - not just the part of you that is sick. We understand that people with serious illnesses can be frightened and unsure of themselves when making medical decisions. We also understand that there is not always one right or wrong answer, and that your needs and your wishes may change over time. Palliative doctors consider all of this when they help you develop your treatment plan.

Contact Us

TATA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Dr. E Borges Road, Parel, Mumbai - 400 012 India
Phone: +91-22- 24177000, 24177300, 24161413
Fax: +91-22-24146937
E-mail : msoffice@tmc.gov.in(for patient care and queries)/cash@tmc.gov.in(for accounts related)/fundraising@tmc.gov.in (for donors and donation related)/registrar@tmc.gov.in(for education and training)/hrd@tmc.gov.in(for administrative - HRD matters) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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