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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Treatments & Procedures
  3. Quality of Life Management

Treatment/Procedure: Quality of Life Management

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. Palliative care is an approach to care that addresses the person as a whole, not just their disease. The goal is to prevent or treat, as early as possible, the symptoms and side effects of the disease and its treatment, in addition to any related psychological, social, and spiritual problems.  Palliative care is also called comfort care, supportive care, and symptom management. Patients may receive palliative care in the hospital, an outpatient clinic, a long-term care facility, or at home under the direction of a physician.

Who gives palliative care?

Palliative care is usually provided by palliative care specialists, health care practitioners who have received special training and/or certification in palliative care. They provide holistic care to the patient and family or caregiver focusing on the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual issues cancer patients may face during the cancer experience.

Often, palliative care specialists work as part of a multidisciplinary team that may include doctors, nurses, registered dieticians, pharmacists, chaplains, psychologists, and social workers. The palliative care team works in conjunction with your oncology care team to manage your care and maintain the best possible quality of life for you.

Palliative care specialists also provide caregiver support, facilitate communication among members of the health care team, and help with discussions focusing on goals of care for the patient.

What issues are addressed in palliative care?

The physical and emotional effects of cancer and its treatment may be very different from person to person. Palliative care can address a broad range of issues, integrating an individual’s specific needs into care. A palliative care specialist will take the following issues into account for each patient:

  • Physical. Common physical symptoms include pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and insomnia.
     
  • Emotional and coping. Palliative care specialists can provide resources to help patients and families deal with the emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. Depression, anxiety, and fear are only a few of the concerns that can be addressed through palliative care.
     
  • Spiritual. With a cancer diagnosis, patients and families often look more deeply for meaning in their lives. Some find the disease brings them closer to their faith or spiritual beliefs, whereas others struggle to understand why cancer happened to them. An expert in palliative care can help people explore their beliefs and values so that they can find a sense of peace or reach a point of acceptance that is appropriate for their situation.
     
  • Caregiver needs. Family members are an important part of cancer care. Like the patient, they have changing needs. It’s common for family members to become overwhelmed by the extra responsibilities placed upon them. Many find it hard to care for a sick relative while trying to handle other obligations, such as work, household duties, and caring for other family members. Uncertainty about how to help their loved one with medical situations, inadequate social support, and emotions such as worry and fear can also add to caregiver stress.

    These challenges can compromise caregivers’ own health. Palliative care specialists can help families and friends cope and give them the support they need.
     
  • Practical needs. Palliative care specialists can also assist with financial and legal worries, insurance questions, and employment concerns. Discussing the goals of care is also an important component of palliative care. This includes talking about advance directives and facilitating communication among family member, caregivers, and members of the oncology care team.

When is palliative care used in cancer care?

Palliative care may be provided at any point along the cancer care continuum, from diagnosis to the end of life. When a person receives palliative care, he or she may continue to receive cancer treatment.

Contents

  • Conditions
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Areas of Expertise
  • Make an Appointment

Conditions Related to Quality of Life Management

UAMS providers care for a broad range of conditions, some of which may not be listed below.

  • Adrenal Cancer
  • Anal Cancer
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Bone Cancer
  • Brain and Spine Cancer
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Colon Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Gallbladder Cancer
  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Liver Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Lymphoma
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Penile Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Sarcoma
  • Skin Cancer
  • Small Intestine Cancer
  • Stomach Cancer
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Thyroid Cancer
  • Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
  • Vaginal Cancer
  • Vulvar Cancer

Providers Performing Quality of Life Management

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe Quality of Life Management for all conditions related to it. Review each provider for availability.

Filter the Providers


Sarah E. Harrington, M.D.

Sarah E. Harrington, M.D. Palliative Care Physician

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John C. 'Charlie' Kincaid Jr., M.D.

John C. "Charlie" Kincaid Jr., M.D. Palliative Care Physician

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Samantha S. McKelvey, M.D.

Samantha S. McKelvey, M.D. Palliative Care Physician

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Heather C. Moore, M.D.

Heather C. Moore, M.D. Palliative Care Physician

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Natalie Brooke Peeples, M.D.

Natalie Brooke Peeples, M.D. Palliative Care Physician

View Profile

Locations Providing Quality of Life Management

Note that Quality of Life Management may not be performed at every location listed below. The list may include locations where the treatment plan is developed during and after a patient visit.

Filter the Locations


Palliative Care Clinic

Palliative Care Clinic

449 Jack Stephens Drive
Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-296-1200
New Patients
501-686-8738
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Areas of Expertise for Quality of Life Management

Image of male doctor giving intravenous drip chemotherapy treatment to a female cancer patient.

Cancer Care

The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute is Arkansas’ most comprehensive cancer treatment and research facility.

View Area of Expertise
Palliative Care, holding hands

Palliative Care (Part of Cancer Care)

The goal of our Palliative Care Clinic is to help you live as well as possible while facing a serious or life-threatening illness.

View Area of Expertise
Sarcoma Ribbon for Awareness

Soft Tissue Cancer Care (Part of Cancer Care)

Soft tissue sarcoma is a broad term for cancers that start in soft tissues (muscle, tendons, fat, lymph and blood vessels, and nerves).

View Area of Expertise

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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