What to Expect from Your First Palliative Care Meeting
If you are facing a serious illness and have asked for palliative care, you may be wondering what the first meeting will be like. Here are five things you can expect.
You will learn how the palliative care team can help
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The core palliative care team typically includes palliative care doctors, nurses, and social workers. This team approach is there to give you an extra layer of support.
You will get to ask questions
Palliative care is a two-way relationship between you and your health care team. In every meeting, you can ask questions about palliative care, your illness, and your treatment options. Here are some suggestions of what to ask in your first meeting. You can also prepare for the meeting by using My Health Checklist, a guide geared toward older adults that will help you prepare and get the most out of doctor appointments.
You will be at the center of your care
Palliative care is patient-centered, meaning the team wants to hear your story. In addition to addressing your pain and other symptoms, they will allow you to discuss how your illness affects your life. You can also talk about any fears or anxieties surrounding your illness, treatments, or medications.
“Every person is different,” says Dr. Rab Razzak of the Cleveland Clinic. “Because of that, it is vital that we get to know who the patient is and his or her values so we can begin to discuss their goals or decisions for treatment or pain management.”
Close communication with all your doctors
The palliative care team works in close partnership and communication with your other doctors. Because of this, they can provide you with a full understanding of your illness and your symptoms.
The goal of the first palliative care meeting is to eliminate any confusion about your care. You and your team will explore your personal goals and needs. They want you and your loved ones to leave the meeting feeling informed and empowered to take the next steps confidently.
Your loved ones have seats at the table, too
Your palliative care team welcomes your family members or anyone in your support system to each meeting. Your team can provide them with emotional support, and give them tools to help care for you. If you would like, they will also include them when making decisions.
Laura is the daughter of a patient who is receiving palliative care. Hear her discuss the experience of meeting with the palliative care team.
About GetPalliativeCare.Org
GetPalliativeCare.Org is an online resource for patients and families that focuses solely on providing information on palliative care from the point of diagnosis. At GetPalliativeCare.org you can take a short quiz to see whether you or a loved one could benefit from palliative care. The site is provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care.
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