Q. I hear Monroe Clinic is introducing a palliative care program to its patients. What is palliative care and who is it for?
A. The importance of "whole person" health care is a concept Monroe Clinic has embraced since its beginnings. In many ways, the introduction of palliative care at the Clinic is rooted in the guiding principle that the most effective health care addresses the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of each patient.
If you have never heard of palliative care, let me explain. This form of care is designed to improve quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families. While it does not replace curative care (care focused on overcoming disease and promoting recovery), it works in partnership with the patient's primary physician and other medical specialists to provide:
• medical management of pain and symptoms such as problems with breathing, nausea, depression, loss of appetite or fatigue
• psychological and spiritual support for patients and their families
• advance care planning and assistance with medical decision-making
• communication and coordination between the patient, family members, and other healthcare providers
Because each patient's condition and personal needs are unique to that individual, so is the palliative care approach. The palliative care team customizes the treatment plan to address the diverse needs of the patient, whether it is pain relief, spiritual support or education on preparing for future medical decisions.
How palliative care differs
While palliative care is a cornerstone of hospice care, it is not the same thing. Hospice care is focused on the needs of terminally ill patients, and it is most often provided during patients' final months. While palliative care is available to the terminally ill, it is also available to patients who are receiving curative treatment.
Introducing palliative care
Monroe Clinic began offering palliative care in early August 2008 in both the clinic and hospital settings. As the leading physician for the palliative care team, I also see patients in nursing homes and make occasional home visits as medically appropriate.
The Clinic's decision to bring a comprehensive palliative care program to its patients is based on several factors:
• Palliative care provides our physicians with a support network for their seriously ill patients who are dealing with complex pain or symptom management issues.
• As the demographics shift to reflect a population that is aging and living longer, palliative care addresses the changing needs of our patients.
• Most importantly, palliative care aims to improve the quality of care and the quality of life for our patients by helping them feel better during their illness, make informed medical decisions and navigate the sometimes-complicated medical system.
palliative care team
You may remember me from my years as a physician at Monroe Clinic-New Glarus, where I practiced family medicine from 1997-2007. I recently completely a Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Marshfield Clinic/St. Joseph's Hospital in 2008 and am board eligible in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. I am excited by the opportunity to return to Monroe Clinic in this capacity and lead the palliative care program.
Palliative care is based on a team approach. The core team at Monroe Clinic includes Marj Trumpy, RN, social worker Cindy Klein, Chaplain Tom Chopp and myself. Together, we work with patients, their families, and other members of their healthcare team to provide them with the best possible medical care.
Learning more
If you are currently a patient receiving treatment at Monroe Clinic and want to learn if palliative care may be right for you, you can start by consulting your primary care provider. You can also learn more about the program by contacting (608) 324-2811 or (608) 324-2685.
- Gaines Richardson, MD, As the leader of Monroe Clinic's palliative care program.
A. The importance of "whole person" health care is a concept Monroe Clinic has embraced since its beginnings. In many ways, the introduction of palliative care at the Clinic is rooted in the guiding principle that the most effective health care addresses the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of each patient.
If you have never heard of palliative care, let me explain. This form of care is designed to improve quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families. While it does not replace curative care (care focused on overcoming disease and promoting recovery), it works in partnership with the patient's primary physician and other medical specialists to provide:
• medical management of pain and symptoms such as problems with breathing, nausea, depression, loss of appetite or fatigue
• psychological and spiritual support for patients and their families
• advance care planning and assistance with medical decision-making
• communication and coordination between the patient, family members, and other healthcare providers
Because each patient's condition and personal needs are unique to that individual, so is the palliative care approach. The palliative care team customizes the treatment plan to address the diverse needs of the patient, whether it is pain relief, spiritual support or education on preparing for future medical decisions.
How palliative care differs
While palliative care is a cornerstone of hospice care, it is not the same thing. Hospice care is focused on the needs of terminally ill patients, and it is most often provided during patients' final months. While palliative care is available to the terminally ill, it is also available to patients who are receiving curative treatment.
Introducing palliative care
Monroe Clinic began offering palliative care in early August 2008 in both the clinic and hospital settings. As the leading physician for the palliative care team, I also see patients in nursing homes and make occasional home visits as medically appropriate.
The Clinic's decision to bring a comprehensive palliative care program to its patients is based on several factors:
• Palliative care provides our physicians with a support network for their seriously ill patients who are dealing with complex pain or symptom management issues.
• As the demographics shift to reflect a population that is aging and living longer, palliative care addresses the changing needs of our patients.
• Most importantly, palliative care aims to improve the quality of care and the quality of life for our patients by helping them feel better during their illness, make informed medical decisions and navigate the sometimes-complicated medical system.
palliative care team
You may remember me from my years as a physician at Monroe Clinic-New Glarus, where I practiced family medicine from 1997-2007. I recently completely a Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Marshfield Clinic/St. Joseph's Hospital in 2008 and am board eligible in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. I am excited by the opportunity to return to Monroe Clinic in this capacity and lead the palliative care program.
Palliative care is based on a team approach. The core team at Monroe Clinic includes Marj Trumpy, RN, social worker Cindy Klein, Chaplain Tom Chopp and myself. Together, we work with patients, their families, and other members of their healthcare team to provide them with the best possible medical care.
Learning more
If you are currently a patient receiving treatment at Monroe Clinic and want to learn if palliative care may be right for you, you can start by consulting your primary care provider. You can also learn more about the program by contacting (608) 324-2811 or (608) 324-2685.
- Gaines Richardson, MD, As the leader of Monroe Clinic's palliative care program.
