Palliative Care Programs in the Philippines

Palliative care, a specialized type of medical care, aims to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and manage debilitating symptoms related to serious illnesses. It goes beyond treating the illness, focusing on improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) care is a special kind of patient- and family-centered health care that focuses on early identification and impeccable assessment and effective management of pain and other distressing symptoms while incorporating psychosocial and spiritual care according to patient/family needs, values, beliefs, and others.

Usually, a team of experts, including palliative care doctors, other specialists, and nurses, provides this type of care. Chaplains, physical therapists, nutritionists, and others might also be part of the team. Working in partnership with your attending physician, the palliative care team provides:

• Expert treatment of distressing symptoms of advanced cancer and other illnesses
• Close, clear communication
• Guidance with difficult and complex treatment choices
• Detailed practical information and assistance
• Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family

The goal of palliative care in the Philippines is to anticipate, prevent, and reduce suffering regardless of the stage of the disease or the need for other therapies. Palliative care supports the best possible quality of life for the patient and their family. Palliative care can be delivered concurrently with disease-directed, life-prolonging therapies. Starting palliative care from the time of diagnosis promotes patient autonomy, provides access to information, and allows for informed choices.

However, when disease-directed, life-prolonging therapies are no longer effective, appropriate, or desired, palliative care already becomes the main focus of care.

Who Can Benefit from Palliative Care?

Supportive and palliative care is for all ages who are living with a persistent or recurring condition that adversely affects their daily functioning or will predictably reduce life expectancy. Children and adults with congenital injuries, those with acute, serious, and life-threatening illnesses, those with chronic and life-limiting injuries, seriously and terminally ill patients, and those with progressive chronic conditions can benefit from palliative care.

Palliative care services are not offered according to the amount of time a patient has left. Palliative care is highly specialized and tailored to each individual, to ensure the highest quality of life possible to live each day until the end. In addition, palliative care utilizes complementary therapies such as music and art and provides emotional and spiritual support to the terminally ill person and loved ones, including grief therapy and bereavement support for the family afterward.

When Should Someone Be Offered Palliative Care?

Palliative care should be offered to individuals with serious illnesses at any stage of their illness, regardless of prognosis. It can be provided alongside curative treatment and is not limited to end-of-life care. Early integration of palliative care has been shown to improve outcomes for patients by controlling symptoms, managing the side effects of treatment, and improving the overall quality of life.

Where is Palliative Care Provided?

Palliative care is not a place, but a philosophy of care. Palliative care services are offered not only at The Medical City but also in the patient’s own home, where the person can be surrounded by family and familiar settings.

What are the Benefits of Palliative Care?

Palliative care is like a tailored treatment plan, understanding that what works for one person may not be right for another when it comes to managing pain. Since everyone's health issues are unique and people respond differently to treatments, the flexibility of palliative care is a real game-changer. It's all about customizing treatments to perfectly fit what each person needs.

Palliative care offers relief from a range of challenging symptoms such as any instances of pain, breathlessness, low energy or fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and sleep difficulties. It empowers patients to regain strength and resume their daily activities. It improves the ability to tolerate medical treatments. And it helps them better understand their choices for care. Overall, palliative care offers patients the best possible quality of life during their illness.

Palliative care benefits both patients and their families. Along with symptom management, communication and support for the family are the main goals.

What Can You Expect from Palliative Care?

Palliative care aims to enhance your daily life as much as possible enhance your capacity to undergo medical treatments effectively. In short, palliative care ensures comfort and the highest possible quality of life throughout your illness!

What Other Types of Support Can I Expect from Palliative Care?

You can expect emotional support and spiritual care. Palliative care places emphasis on the holistic well-being of individuals, rather than solely focusing on their illness. The dedicated team of caregivers will attend to your social, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs. Furthermore, you can rely on receiving support for your family and caregivers during this time. The palliative care team will fully explain treatment options. You and your family can determine goals of care that will guide decision-making.

What is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice?

Palliative care can be of benefit earlier in the course of the illness when no defined prognosis is established, and you are still seeking curative therapies. Hospice care in the Philippines provides services to a patient who has a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of about six months or less and is no longer seeking life-prolonging care.

What is the Role of Palliative Care in End-of-Life Care?

While palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, it plays a crucial role in end-of-life care. Palliative care teams are equipped to provide specialized support for patients in their final days, weeks, or months of life. This can include managing pain and other symptoms, providing emotional and spiritual support, and helping patients and families come to terms with the end of life.

Palliative care's focus on enhancing quality of life also extends to end-of-life care. It aims to help patients have a peaceful and dignified death, surrounded by their loved ones and with their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs taken care of.

How Do I Choose a Palliative Care Provider?

Choosing a palliative care provider should involve careful consideration and research. It is essential to select a provider that aligns with the needs and preferences of both the patient and their family. Some factors to consider when choosing a palliative care provider include:

• The provider's experience and expertise in managing the specific illness or condition
• Their approach to pain and symptom management, including their use of evidence-based practices and alternative therapies
• The range of services offered, such as emotional support, spiritual care, caregiver support, and care coordination
• The availability of different settings for receiving care (e.g., hospital, hospice facility, home)
• Whether they offer telemedicine or community-based programs for added convenience
• Testimonials or reviews from previous patients and their families
• The level of collaboration and communication with the patient's existing healthcare team

How Can The Medical City Help You?

The Medical City offers a roster of competent palliative care specialists who may assess and treat pain and distressing symptoms undergone by people with advanced cancer and end-stage diseases, as well as provide psychosocial support and spiritual care not only for patients but for their families as well. This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.

For any inquiries or if you would like to seek a consultation, please call:
AUGUSTO P. SARMIENTO CANCER INSTITUTE
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6214