Comprehensive Palliative Care Program

For Health Care Providers

End of Life Conversations

If you need to make a referral to the Comprehensive Palliative Care Program, or need additional information, please call 412-692-4834 or e-mail Dr. Robert Arnold at rabob@pitt.edu.

Palliative care is the management of the physical, social, and spiritual needs of patients for whom a cure is not possible. It is especially suited to people with progressive, life-limiting illnesses.

The goal of palliative care is to achieve the best possible quality of life through relief of suffering, control of symptoms, and restoration of functional capacity, while remaining sensitive to the values of the patient and family. Palliative care affirms life and views dying as a natural process that is a profoundly personal experience for the patient and his or her family. Palliative care guides the patient and family as they face disease progression and helps those who wish to address issues of life completion and life closure.

The Comprehensive Palliative Care Program is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing comprehensive and coordinated palliative care to patients and their families. The team consists of a physician, advanced practice nurse, pharmacist, and psychologist, all with special expertise and experience in palliative care. The team also acts as a liaison with social workers, chaplains from all faiths, and dietitians.

The team can assist with issues such as:

• management of symptoms, including pain, nausea, shortness of breath, and delirium
• negotiating the goal of treatment and end-of-life decision making
• psychological or spiritual counseling for patient and family
• discharge planning and interface with hospices
• bereavement services

The palliative care program supports the attending physician and other health care providers; it does not replace the patient’s established health care team.