What is the goal of palliative care?

The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients who are dealing with serious illnesses. This approach focuses on addressing a comprehensive range of needs, including physical symptoms, emotional support, and spiritual concerns. By adopting this holistic perspective, palliative care aims to alleviate suffering and enhance the overall well-being of patients, regardless of the stage of their illness or the need for other therapies.

Palliative care is not primarily about curing illnesses; instead, it is about supporting patients and their families during difficult times. This care is provided alongside curative treatments or on its own when a cure is not possible, thus emphasizing the importance of comfort and quality of life rather than solely focusing on the disease itself.