An Ethical Argument for Integrated Palliative Care

Abstract

‘In the midst of life, we are in death’from The Book of Common PrayerThe Palliative Care, or comfort care, movement in the USA is on the rise. Currently, palliative services are not integrated in an organized way throughout healthcare. If we accept the argument that palliative care is ethically desirable and that all patients are entitled to palliative services regardless of a terminal diagnosis, it follows that it needs to be integrated across a wide range of healthcare services. Ethical questions regarding palliative care and well-known ethical frameworks are discussed and an argument is made for integrating palliative healthcare services throughout the healthcare system and not simply at the end of life. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are discussed as useful and necessary components of palliative care. If we as a society look beyond separating cures and palliation, we will come closer to incorporating compassionate care throughout the disease process.