An Integrative Framework of Appraisal and Adaptation in Serious Medical Illness

Multiple randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that palliative care improves the quality of life of individuals with serious medical illness. Research also suggests that in patients with advanced cancer, palliative care ’s focus on symptom management, coping with illness, goals of care, and treatment decisions may be associated with improved patient quality of life in part by increasing patients’ use of active (versus passive) and approach-oriented (versus avoidant) coping strategies. However, without a framewo rk outlining the process that individuals with serious medical illness and their loved ones undergo, it is challenging to discern exactly where, how, and why palliative care may affect the serious medical illness experience.
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Special Article Source Type: research