What is a key characteristic of palliative care?

Palliative care is distinguished by its holistic approach, which emphasizes addressing not only the physical aspects of a patient's condition but also their psychological, social, and spiritual needs. This comprehensive nature of palliative care helps improve the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses, regardless of the stage of their disease or their treatment choices.

A key characteristic is that it can be provided at any point during an illness, not just at the end of life, making it available concurrent with curative treatments. By focusing on the multidimensional needs of the patient, palliative care ensures that care is tailored to the individual and includes support for emotional and spiritual well-being, family involvement, and assistance with decision-making.