Palliative Care: From Global to Local Needs

Abstract

AbstractPalliative care (PC) is a comprehensive approach that focuses on improving the quality of life of patients and families that face fatal diseases by optimal minimization of suffering. Seventy-eight percent of patients who benefit from palliative support live in low-and-middle-income countries, where the access to these services is limited. Six percent of the patients are below the age of 15. The aim of this study is to review briefly the history of PC and its global challenges and indicate its impact and barriers in the Dominican Republic. A literature review in PubMed and analysis of the history of impact globally of PC and a remark of Dominican Republic local program. Some of the identifiable barriers are the limited support from authorities and health systems, the discomfort of healthcare staff in providing PC, the lack of knowledge, as well as experience, and team support. Not only do low-and-middle-income countries face these challenges, but also globally there is an urgency of the integration of PC services to the different healthcare systems to improve quality of life. This was experienced in the Dominican Republic when the first PC program started in 2012. Currently, local efforts are being made to increase the impact of the program and to make it accessible to more patients and families.