“Palliative care” is a term often identified as synonymous with “hospice”. Although hospice programs provide the vast majority of this type of care, palliative care is actually a model for which patients of all ages and stages of illness are eligible. It is a growing medical specialty shown to enhance the quality of health care for patients while reducing medical costs. A review article recently published in the NEJM discusses the growth and change in palliative care in the last decade, the need for outcomes evidence in support of new palliative care-delivery models and payment mechanisms outside of hospitals, as well as an increase in community and professional recognition.
Link to NEJM article (08/2015)
