Palliative care: Past, present, and future perspectives

OBJECTIVES: To provide a review of the development and impact of palliative care; to discuss quality of lie as a framework for guiding clinical practice and research in palliative care; and to identify future trends that are likely to affect palliative care services. DATA SOURCES: Research studies, review articles, and book chapters. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative care is in the process of dynamic change. Advocates of palliative care are suggesting that cost-effective holistic care strategies should be available to patients and families throughout the illness trajectory, not just reserved for end of life care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Incorporation of palliative care principles across the cancer illness trajectory requires an attitude shift by all members of the multidisciplinary team.