Lecture Summary

Advances in critical care over the past 70 years have led to an unprecedented ability to sustain organ function even in the most severe illness. Yet a substantial proportion of ICU patients ultimately die despite our best efforts, and a substantial proportion of the population in high-income countries will die during or soon after admission to an ICU. Palliative care is a field of medicine that focuses on (among other things) symptom management, and communication and support. Palliative care principles have relevance throughout the ICU continuum, from serious illness prior to ICU admission, to the ICU itself, and into the bereavement period. In this lecture, we will review the ways in which the principles of palliative care can be integrated into the care of the critically ill, and look at some of the important studies of palliative care interventions in the ICU environment.

Target Audience

Critical Care Doctors
Experienced or advanced Critical Care Nurses
Doctors & Nurses who work in Palliative Care

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, you should be able to:

• Appreciate the role of palliative care throughout the continuum of critical illness
• Describe the role of the rapid response team in discussing goals of care and providing symptom control for acutely deteriorating patients
• Identify the importance of bereavement support for family members at risk of complicated grief

None.