The role of pharmacists in palliative care

Abstract

Palliative care is an interdisciplinary medical specialty that focuses on prevention and relief of suffering, and supporting the patients with serious and/or life-threatening illnesses and their families for provision of the best possible quality of life. The World Health Organization identifies palliative care as a crucial part of integrated, people-centered health services (IPCHS). Palliative care offers a support system not only to help patients live as actively as possible but also to assist families and caregivers to cope with the impact of the patient's illness (Kuruvilla et al. 2018). Palliative care, aiming to relieve patients' physical, psychological, social, or spiritual suffering may be needed and integrated at all levels of health care and it is appropriate for all patients with serious illnesses. Although, pharmacists' role in patient care is mostly described as a resource and support for physicians rather than an independent contributor to the multidisciplinary team, this is not always the case. While pharmacists are rarely mentioned as part of the palliative care team, they can provide a significant role in palliative care by integrating their knowledge of drug therapy management through medication review, optimization of patient care and improving quality of life. They can also provide useful drug information to other members of the team. Studies carried out to evaluate the role of pharmacists' participation in palliative care have consistently shown positive results. Palliative care being a specialty requires trained and skilled personals. Training is crucial for pharmacists that will be involved in providing palliative care.