Palliative & Supportive Care is more than just medical treatment; it Is An Interdisciplinary Program Of Palliative Care And Supportive Services designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families facing serious illnesses. At the heart of this approach is a dedicated team of clinicians and therapists working collaboratively to address not only the physical symptoms but also the emotional, psychological, and social challenges that accompany significant health conditions.
Our commitment at the Department of Palliative & Supportive Care is to deliver exceptional patient-centered care. We champion collaboration among healthcare professionals and are devoted to advancing education, fostering innovative practices, and contributing to the expanding knowledge base in supportive care.
Comprehensive Services Offered
Our Department of Palliative & Supportive Care is proud to extend a wide array of resources and services to all patients, ensuring holistic support throughout their healthcare journey.
Delving into Palliative Care
The Palliative Care team at Cleveland Clinic provides specialized care for patients of all ages and their families who are navigating serious illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, advanced respiratory diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. Palliative care distinguishes itself by prioritizing symptom relief and alleviating the stress associated with serious illness. The overarching aim is to improve the overall quality of life for both the patient and their loved ones.
Our interdisciplinary Palliative Care team comprises physicians, advanced practice nurses, social workers, and registered nurses, all with specialized training to address the multifaceted physical, emotional, and social difficulties patients and families may encounter. Think of our team as an additional layer of support, working in close coordination with your existing medical providers, including specialists and your primary care physician (PCP).
Palliative care is beneficial at any age and at any stage of a serious illness. It is important to note that it can be provided alongside curative or disease-modifying treatments, offering support regardless of the treatment path. Our commitment is to stand by patients and families throughout the entire course of a serious illness, across various healthcare settings and transitions. Furthermore, Cleveland Clinic’s Palliative Care specialists are adept at providing compassionate care as patients approach the end of life, transitioning to a more conservative, comfort-focused care plan, often in collaboration with Hospice services.
Cleveland Clinic’s Palliative Care Program, established in 1987, boasts a rich history of leadership in the field. Notably, we pioneered the first acute Palliative Care unit and physician fellowship training program in the United States. Our program has grown into a comprehensive department that extends its reach across care settings throughout Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus, regional hospitals, outpatient clinics, and even home care environments. Cleveland Clinic remains at the forefront of innovation in Palliative Care, continuously implementing novel models of care, such as integrated consultation in cancer care and targeted consultation within the Medical Intensive Care Unit and the Neurological and Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.
What Exactly is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is an interdisciplinary program of palliative care and supportive services, representing specialized medical care designed for individuals living with serious illnesses. The primary focus of this type of care is to relieve the burden of symptoms and stress that accompany illness. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life for both the patient and their family.
Delivered by a dedicated and specially-trained team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists, palliative care works in tandem with a patient’s other medical providers to offer an extra dimension of support. Crucially, palliative care is tailored to the patient’s needs, not dictated by their prognosis. It is appropriate for individuals of any age, at any stage of a serious illness, and can be concurrently administered with treatments aimed at curing the underlying condition.
The palliative care team excels in managing physical symptoms, such as pain, nausea, and fatigue. Moreover, they address the emotional, social, and even spiritual impacts of serious illness on patients and their loved ones. Advocacy is a key role of the team, ensuring that patient preferences are heard and respected, and that treatment plans are aligned with their personal goals and values.
Who Stands to Benefit from Palliative Care?
Consider palliative care if you or a loved one are:
- Living with serious illnesses, including conditions like cancer, heart failure, or chronic lung diseases such as COPD.
- Experiencing significant stress related to coping with a serious illness diagnosis and treatment.
- Dealing with persistent pain or other distressing symptoms arising from a serious illness.
- Facing complex decisions about healthcare options and treatment paths.
[Imagine a photo here of a diverse team of healthcare professionals in a meeting, smiling reassuringly.]
Alt Text: Interdisciplinary team of palliative care professionals including doctors, nurses, and social workers collaborating on patient care, emphasizing a supportive and holistic approach to serious illness.
Who Comprises the Palliative Care Team?
The core of the palliative care team includes:
- The patient and their family, who are central to all decisions.
- Specialized Palliative Medicine physicians.
- Advanced practitioners such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
- Social workers providing emotional and practical support.
- Registered nurses with expertise in palliative care.
The Palliative Care team works in close partnership with your other healthcare providers, including your primary care physician and specialists like oncologists or cardiologists, ensuring a coordinated and seamless approach to your care.
Furthermore, the Palliative Care team can facilitate connections with other valuable supportive services, such as nutritionists, chaplains, and art or music therapists, to address a wide range of patient needs.
Where is Palliative Care Delivered?
Palliative care services are adaptable and can be provided in various settings, including:
- Hospitals, for acute care needs.
- Outpatient clinics, for ongoing management and support.
- Nursing facilities, for patients requiring skilled nursing care.
- Private homes, bringing care directly to the patient.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice: Understanding the Distinction
While both palliative care and hospice share the common goal of enhancing the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses, they are distinct areas of medicine serving different patient populations. Palliative care is available at any stage of illness, even alongside treatments aimed at disease management or cure. Hospice care, conversely, is specifically designed for patients who are no longer pursuing life-prolonging treatments, typically those nearing the end of life. Hospice focuses on comfort care and maximizing quality of life when cure is no longer the goal.
To explore hospice options in more detail, please visit Cleveland Clinic Hospice.
Patient Resources and Support
Palliative care touches many lives, whether you are a patient, caregiver, family member, neighbor, or friend. We offer a range of hospice and palliative care resources, practical tips, and dedicated support for caregivers, families, and loved ones.
Advance Directives: Take control of your future healthcare decisions by learning about and downloading Advance Directive documents, including Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will forms.
Pediatric Palliative Care and Medicine: Discover specialized palliative care for children and meet our Cleveland Clinic Children’s Pediatric Palliative Care team.
Palliative and Hospice Care for Heart Failure: Access resources and watch an informative video on palliative care specifically for heart failure patients from The Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.
Geriatrics: Explore the comprehensive programs and services provided by Ohio’s leading Geriatric Medicine program.
Patient Support Programs: Find a comprehensive collection of helpful programs designed for patients and families navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Cleveland Clinic Hospice: Learn more about our hospice program, the services we offer, and how to request hospice care for a loved one.
The Conversation Project: Initiate important conversations about end-of-life care wishes with this valuable public engagement resource.
Get Palliative Care: Access a wealth of clear and comprehensive information about palliative care for individuals living with serious illnesses.
[Consider an image here of a compassionate doctor talking to a patient and family.]
Alt Text: A doctor in a comforting setting explains palliative care benefits to a patient and their family, highlighting the supportive and empathetic nature of the interdisciplinary program.
Leadership in Palliative & Supportive Care
Laura K. Shoemaker, DO, MS, FAAHPM leads our Department of Palliative & Supportive Care as Chair, holding The Lois U. and Harry R. Horvitz Endowed Chair in Palliative Medicine. Dr. Shoemaker is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, and a Clinical Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Resources for Medical Professionals
The Lois U. and Harry R. Horvitz Grand Rounds in Palliative Medicine provides a valuable learning platform for our physicians, residents, and medical students. Leading palliative care professionals from around the globe share their expertise, best practices, and methodologies, contributing to Cleveland Clinic’s high standard of palliative care practice focused on optimizing quality of life for patients and families.
For in-depth information, please visit our Hospice and Palliative Medicine physician fellowship program website.
Online Referral Process
To make a direct online referral to our Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, please use our Online Cancer Patient Referral Form or visit clevelandclinic.org/cancerpatientreferrals. You will receive a confirmation once the appointment is scheduled.
Education and Training
Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Palliative & Supportive Care is deeply committed to education. Beyond the physician fellowship, we host learners from diverse disciplines and training levels, including medical students, advanced practice nursing and physician assistant students, as well as physician trainees across specialties such as internal medicine, gynecologic oncology, anesthesia, psychiatry, neurology, and critical care. Our department staff also develop and deliver system-wide education on vital topics like healthcare communication, advance care planning, symptom management, end-of-life care, and ethics.
The Palliative Medicine program at Cleveland Clinic offers a wide range of educational opportunities for healthcare providers. Examples include: [List of specific educational programs would be beneficial here – original text doesn’t provide specifics].
For further information about educational programs, please contact:
Lynn Mulgrew
Education Program Manager
Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic
10201 Carnegie Avenue, CA6
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone: 216.445.0624
Fax: 216.444.9464
Email: [email protected]
Appointments & Locations
If you are interested in learning more about or participating in our Palliative Medicine program, please contact our Cancer Answer Line at 866.223.8100 (toll-free).
Referral Contact Information
Outpatient Referrals: 216.444.7923 or 866.223.8100
Inpatient Referrals: 800.553.5056
Patient Transfers: 216.444.8302 or 866.547.1467
Service Locations
Cleveland Clinic Palliative & Supportive Care services are conveniently available at our Main Campus and numerous regional Ohio locations across the East, West, and South regions of Northeast Ohio. [List of locations as provided in original article].
Northeast Ohio – East Region Locations: [Hillcrest Hospital, Marymount Hospital, South Pointe Hospital, Willoughby Hills Family Health Center, South Building]
Northeast Ohio – West Region Locations: [Amherst Family Health Center, Avon Hospital at Richard E. Jacobs Campus, Avon – Richard E. Jacobs Health Center, Fairview Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Cancer Center, Mansfield, Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center – Judith and Richard Kinzel Campus, Sandusky]
Northeast Ohio – South Region Locations:
