Palliative care medicine is the comprehensive care and management of the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of patients (of all ages) and their families with serious and/or life-threatening illness. Palliative care may be complementary to curative or life-prolonging therapies that are being used to meet patient-defined goals of care.

The Palliative care programs recognize and respect the following principles:

•  The intrinsic value of each person as an autonomous and unique individual.
• Patients and families must have their suffering, expectations, and needs addressed.
•  Care is guided by quality of life as defined by the individual
•  The patient decides with whom information is shared.
•  The patient participates in informed decision-making.

At the palliative care department, the main scope of service is to :

• Optimize symptom control
• Optimize functional status when appropriate
• Assist actively dying patients and their families in preparing for and managing life closure