As healthcare professionals, we are on the brink of a major shift in palliative care — a wave that threatens to overwhelm our existing resources. With an aging population and a broader definition of serious illness, we face a “tsunami” of palliative care needs like never before.
Understanding the Challenge
The fourth edition of the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care has redefined “serious illness” to include conditions such as cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, and neurological diseases, significantly expanding the patient population eligible for palliative care. Coupled with the aging population, this redefinition means a dramatic increase in the number of patients requiring palliative support.
Unfortunately, the healthcare system is not adequately prepared to meet this demand. Currently, only a fraction of those who need palliative care receive it, and there is a severe shortage of trained specialists. The reality is stark: if we don’t act now, patients will not receive the care they need.
A New Approach to Palliative Care
The solution lies in expanding the role of primary or generalist palliative care. Instead of relying solely on board-certified palliative care physicians, we must train a broader range of healthcare providers — from primary care clinicians to nurses, social workers, and pharmacists — to deliver high-quality palliative care at a generalist level.
By equipping more healthcare professionals with the skills to provide this type of care, we can ensure that patients receive timely, compassionate, and comprehensive support, regardless of where they are in their journey with a serious illness.
The Time to Act is Now
To address this looming crisis, expanding palliative care training and integrating it early in the treatment process is vital. This proactive approach not only improves quality of life but also supports patients and their families through the challenges of serious illness.
To learn more about this impending shift and how healthcare professionals can prepare, download our eGuide, “Addressing the Tsunami of Palliative Care Patients: An Urgent Call for Comprehensive Palliative Care Training.”
