Definitions of Palliative Care Terms: A Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making Process

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care Medicine
• Health Services Research
• Standardization in Healthcare

Background:

• Inconsistent terminology in palliative care hinders service design, delivery, and access.
• A unified language is crucial for effective communication and quality improvement in palliative care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a consensus-driven, evidence-based palliative care glossary.
• To integrate this glossary into the Health Standards Organization Palliative Care Services National Standard of Canada (CAN/HSO 13001:2020).

Main Methods:

• Content analysis of the existing Palliative Care Services standard.
• Environmental scan and rapid review to identify and define key concepts.
• Modified Delphi approach with a 12-member multidisciplinary working committee, including patient/family representatives.

Main Results:

• Key terms such as "palliative approach to care," "quality of life," "pain and symptom management," "caregivers," "palliative care," "life-limiting illness," and "serious illness" were defined.
• A comprehensive glossary of essential palliative care terms was created.

Conclusions:

• The developed glossary, now part of the HSO Palliative Care Services standard, promotes consistent language.
• Standardized terminology will enhance communication and facilitate access to high-quality palliative care across diverse settings.