The State of Palliative Care in South Dakota

As numbers of patients living with chronic diseases are increasing, there is a growing demand for physicians who have knowledge to provide interventions that align with the goals of palliative care. The increasing number of patients living with chronic disease creates a challenge for the healthcare landscape of South Dakota. Even though South Dakota has a growing number of fellowship trained and board certified palliative and hospice physicians to help meet patient needs, there is a shortage of providers to meet the demand. This article provides an overview of the state of palliative care in South Dakota. A brief background of palliative care is provided along with information related to advanced training for physicians. An overview of legislation addressing palliative care for the 2024 session is provided. Through the collaboration of our healthcare teams, universities, and the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organization, there is increasing exposure to palliative care principles, patient care, and a unified vision for palliative care in South Dakota is being created.