General

Question 1

What is the definition of supportive care?

Answer 1

Care which helps the patient and their family cope with their illness and the treatment of it.

Includes pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, treatment, cure, continuing illness, death and bereavement

Given equal priority alongside diagnosis and treatment

Question 2

Give examples of supportive care (7)

Answer 2

Self-help
Information giving
Symptom control 
Psychological, social and spiritual support
Rehab
Complementary therapies 
End-of-life and bereavement care

Question 3

What is the definition of palliative care?

Answer 3

For patients with advanced progressive illness

Aims:

• improving pt symptoms rather than curing illness
• improving how its feel and their quality of life
• addressing emotional and spiritual concerns as well as physical ones.
• helping the family as well as the pt

Question 4

What are the aims of palliative care? (3)

Answer 4

• provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
• integrate the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
• offer a support system to patients and their families

Question 5

What is the definition of specialist palliative care?

Answer 5

Specialisation of palliative care for:

• unresolved symptoms and complex psychosocial issues for patients with advanced disease
• complex end-of-life issues
• complex bereavement issues

Question 6

Who is part of a specialist palliative care MDT?

Answer 6

Minimum = palliative medicine consultant, palliative care nurse specialist, team Secretary/Administrator

Others = physio, OT, dieticians, pharmacists, social workers, chaplains/spiritual care givers, professionals able to deliver psychological support

Question 7

Describe services commonly available in the UK

Answer 7

Adult inpatient palliative care
Child inpatient palliative
Community and Hospital Support Services:
- home care
- hospice at home
- day care
- Hospital support nurse services
- hospital support teams

Question 8

What is end of life care?

Answer 8

It is an integral part of palliative care. It is care for patients who are in their last 6-12 months of life.