It Doesn't Have to Hurt: Palliative Care for Trauma Patients

Trauma is a leading cause of mortality and long-term morbidity in the United States, yet palliative care remains inconsistently integrated into trauma care despite strong evidence of benefit. Palliative care advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), traditionally experienced in chronic, life-limiting illness, are uniquely positioned to address the complex and evolving needs of trauma patients despite the acute, unpredictable nature of injury. This paper argues for the routine integration of palliative care into trauma care, examines the barriers to implementation, and highlights how palliative care APRNs can play an integral role in working with trauma patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams. Using a longitudinal case example, this paper examines team-based and patient-specific challenges-including misconceptions about palliative care, communication barriers, time pressures, grief, symptom management, and long-term survivorship-and illustrates how APRNs can address these gaps. Integrating palliative care into trauma care reframes serious injury as a condition warranting the same holistic, person-centered approach applied to serious illness and underscores the critical leadership role of APRNs in advancing equitable, compassionate care for patients with serious injury across the continuum from recovery to death.