What palliative care can learn from geriatric medicine

Enguell, Hannah; Harwood, Rowan H

Abstract

Most people die when they are old, with multiple pathologies, and while living with frailty or dementia. These circumstances need the specialist skills of geriatric medicine. Death may not be unexpected, but survival and restoration of function are usually uncertain, influencing the approach to medical intervention. Assessment considers medical, functional, mental, social and environmental domains. Care requires a mix of acute, rehabilitation, mental health and palliative expertise, and evolves with changing circumstances. Relief of suffering and maintenance of function are key goals, but not the only ones. Mental distress is as common as physical; investigation- and treatment-burden are important; drug treatments are prone to adverse effects. A focus on person-centredness rather than the end-of-life is needed. This prioritizes respect for individual diversity in needs, assets and priorities, and rigorous decision making, to achieve what is the right intervention for that person at that time.

Citation

Enguell, H., & Harwood, R. H. (2019). What palliative care can learn from geriatric medicine. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 80(2), 86-90. https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2019.80.2.86

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Feb 12, 2019
• Publication Date: Feb 2, 2019
• Deposit Date: Mar 1, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 3, 2019
• Journal: British Journal of Hospital Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1750-8460
• Electronic ISSN: 1759-7390
• Publisher: Mark Allen Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 80
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 86-90
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2019.80.2.86
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1595073
• Publisher URL: https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/hmed.2019.80.2.86
• Contract Date: Mar 5, 2019