Palliative Care Fundamental Principles and Interdisciplinary Approaches

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to consolidate and synthesize existing knowledge on the fundamental principles and interdisciplinary approaches of palliative care, identifying gaps in literature and exploring collaborative improvements across medical specialties to enhance clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients in advanced disease stages. Theoretical Framework: Palliative care is essential for integrated patient management in serious illnesses, focusing on alleviating suffering and significantly enhancing quality of life. Method: A systematic review was conducted using major scientific databases to gather relevant articles on palliative care, utilizing specific keywords to identify studies on its principles and interdisciplinary approaches. This facilitated the synthesis of effective practices and the identification of research gaps, supporting evidence-based clinical practices. Results and Discussion: The review highlights that interdisciplinary approaches in palliative care significantly improve patient quality of life by addressing medical and psychosocial needs. It also shows a strong correlation between early palliative care integration and improved outcomes for patients and families. However, gaps in practice uniformity and integration of non-medical support services suggest areas for future research and improvement.