Where You Live Matters: Palliative Care

Medical and technological advancements have led to longer life expectancies and changed the traditional understanding of death. Advanced practice providers and physicians acknowledge the importance of discussing end-of-life care with their patients but may lack the necessary training to approach these discussions. These conversations are becoming more vital as approximately 72 million Americans, nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population, will be 65 or older by 2030.

Despite considerable progress in realizing the benefits of incorporating palliative care into disease management, many individuals living with chronic and advanced illnesses either do not receive any palliative care or only receive it during the final stages of their illness. Multiple studies conducted in different countries and healthcare systems have shown that palliative care programs can greatly improve patient outcomes. The current scarcity of palliative care specialists poses a significant challenge to meeting the demands of individuals with severe illnesses. The estimated physician-to-seriously-ill-person ratio is projected to be 1:28,000 in 2030. To address the workforce shortage in specialty palliative care, many healthcare organizations have begun to train clinical staff from other specialties to deliver primary or generalist palliative care services, such as advance care planning and symptom management. To effectively meet the needs of individuals with serious illnesses, the nursing and medical community must integrate palliative care into the standard practice for treating leading causes of death in the United States. Where you live matters.

Advancing Palliative Care education is crucial in the context of an aging population for several reasons. Palliative care is a specialized form of healthcare that focuses on providing relief from symptoms and stress associated with serious illness, to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. As the global population ages, the demand for palliative care is increasing, making enhancing education in this field imperative.

1. Discuss the State of Florida Palliative Care Report Card

2. Evaluate solutions for the impact of the workforce shortage on palliative care delivery in Florida in urban and rural areas.

3. Explore the importance of advancing Palliative Care education to care for an aging population.