Palliative care is a supportive approach that helps improve the quality of life for both patients (adults and children) and their families facing life-threatening conditions. This type of care is available to patients of any age and at any stage of illness, regardless of whether they are receiving other treatments.
At the Palliative Medicine Clinic at Liaquat National Hospital, our dedicated team works to enhance the comfort and quality of life for patients. Our Palliative Care specialists perform thorough assessments to reduce the impact of symptoms whether they are physical, psychosocial or spiritual.
The purpose of this clinic and Palliative care services is to help patients live as comfortable as possible while providing the support needed to manage their chronic condition. We also offer outpatient palliative care service in Karachi for patients who do not need to be hospitalized. This setting allows for ongoing support and adjustments to treatment plans as needed.
Our Palliative Care Approach
- Patient-Centered Care: Our clinic emphasizes a patient-centered approach, prioritizing shared decision-making to align treatment plans with the patient’s values and preferences.
- Interdisciplinary Team: We have an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses to provide comprehensive care.
- Continuous Support: Our commitment to continuity of care ensures that patients and families have access to support throughout their healthcare journey, from diagnosis to end-of-life care.
We provide resources and support groups for families and caregivers, fostering a community where shared experiences can help reduce the challenges of caregiving.
Conditions Requiring Palliative Care
Palliative care is beneficial for people facing serious health conditions or terminal illnesses, including:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart disease
- HIV & AIDS
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Advanced diabetes
- Chronic pain syndromes
Why Palliative Care is Important?
Palliative care offers many benefits, such as longer life, improved quality of life, and reduced suffering for patients. It also helps families by building resilience, reducing anxiety and depression, and enhancing satisfaction with medical care when it is needed. Research shows that this compassionate approach creates a strong, supportive environment that significantly boosts well-being during difficult times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness. It aims to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family.
Palliative care is appropriate for any patient with a serious illness, regardless of the stage of the disease or treatment options.
Palliative care can be provided alongside your current treatment and care. Your palliative care team works with your current doctor and others to provide specific treatments and care plans. Palliative care is meant to enhance your current care by focusing on quality of life for you and your family.
While both provide comfort and support, palliative care can be received alongside curative treatment, while hospice care is for patients nearing the end of life who are no longer seeking curative treatments.
Patients can be referred to our Palliative Medicine Clinic by their primary physician or can contact us directly to schedule an appointment.
No, palliative medicine is not limited to cancer patients. It is available for anyone experiencing a serious illness, regardless of the diagnosis. This includes conditions, such as:
- Heart disease
- Chronic respiratory diseases
- Neurological disorders (like Parkinson’s or ALS)
- Kidney failure
The goal is to provide relief from symptoms, improve quality of life, and support patients and families through the healthcare journey, no matter the underlying condition.
Palliative medicine is not just for end-of-life care, even though it includes that. It can be given at any stage of a serious illness and can be combined with treatments that aim to cure the illness. Hospice care is a form of palliative care focused on people who are nearing the end of their lives, but palliative care is broader and aims to improve the quality of life at any stage of illness.
Studies have shown that palliative care can have many benefits for both patients and their families. These studies show that those enrolled in palliative care have fewer symptoms, greater emotional support, and increased patient and family satisfaction.
Common symptoms that may require palliative care support include chronic pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression, cognitive changes, mobility issues, constipation, skin problems, and swelling.
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Contact
Please call us on 021-34413199.
Location: Senior Citizens Primary Care Unit
