Supportive care, or previously referred to as palliative care, is specialized medical care that focuses on reducing the symptoms; pain and stress caused by serious illness — whatever the diagnosis. It is appropriate at any age or stage of illness and can be provided alongside curative treatment.

The goal of supportive care is to improve quality of life for both patient and family. Care is provided by a team of Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers and other specialists who work with the patient’s Physicians to develop a plan of care. Supportive care is an extra layer of support whereby the team can offer information and guidance for complex medical decisions.

Supportive Care Medicine is expert medical care dedicated to relieving the pain, distress and other symptoms that can accompany serious illness. It is specialized care and aims to treat the whole person. Serious illness affects patients and their families, including physical, emotional, social and spiritual challenges. Supportive Care Medicine is provided by team members who work together to support patients and families in all of these areas.

The focus of the care is on well-being; on ensuring that all reasonable treatment options are explored; on having patients and families make informed health care decisions; on maximizing comfort and minimizing unwanted hospitalizations or treatments; and on patients living the best life possible with a serious illness.

An individual’s supportive care needs vary over time, usually increasing in intensity and range from the time of diagnosis to the end of life. The system which comprehensively deals with these needs is the continuum of care. These needs may range from preventive care and health maintenance to acute care, long-term care, palliative, and end-of-life care.

It is important because it offers personalised attention by providing different levels of care at different stages of their disease, because the transition – whether from acute to rehabilitation care or home to hospice – is smoother and lastly because the patients and their family know that there is a healthcare service that will be with them until the very end.