Palliative Care in the Emergency Department

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Palliative Care

Background:

• The aging US population is increasing emergency department (ED) visits for end-of-life (EOL) and palliative care needs.
• Emergency physicians face unique challenges and opportunities in managing EOL care for geriatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of emergency physicians in providing palliative and EOL care.
• To emphasize the importance of physician competency in communication and symptom management for geriatric EOL care.

Main Methods:

• Review of current trends in geriatric EOL care within emergency departments.
• Discussion of essential skills for emergency physicians, including communication strategies and evidence-based symptom management.

Main Results:

• Enhanced communication skills, including shared decision-making, boost physician confidence in addressing EOL complaints.
• Familiarity with medicolegal terminology is crucial for effective EOL care discussions.
• Knowledge of evidence-based pain management improves patient and family experiences.

Conclusions:

• Emergency physicians are pivotal in alleviating suffering and enhancing the experience of geriatric patients at the end of life.
• Investing in physician training for communication and symptom management is essential for quality EOL care in the ED setting.