Palliative care: past, present, and future perspectives.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a review of the development and impact of palliative care; to discuss quality of lie as a framework for guiding clinical practice and research in palliative care; and to identify future trends that are likely to affect palliative care services.

DATA SOURCES

Research studies, review articles, and book chapters.

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative care is in the process of dynamic change. Advocates of palliative care are suggesting that cost-effective holistic care strategies should be available to patients and families throughout the illness trajectory, not just reserved for end of life care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Incorporation of palliative care principles across the cancer illness trajectory requires an attitude shift by all members of the multidisciplinary team.