palliative care and symptom management in neurological disease
Dear Sir,
Pinnock et al highlight the difficulty, and often inappropriateness,
of attempting to identify a transition point to palliative care in
nonmalignant disease.
Many patients seen in neurology services with nonmalignant disease
unfortunately suffer from incurable disease, and progression of illness
may be associated (as in the case of Parkinson's Disease, Multiple
Sclerosis or Motor Neurone Disease) with impairment of cognition. This
added consideration can further complicate discussions regarding any
change in emphasis of care.
In the pre-terminal phase, supportive multidisciplinary management of
the patient and family/carers in the clinic, and a "palliative care"
approach, can overlap considerably. For these reasons, ongoing evaluation
of patient needs may be more appropriate than a sharp transition in care.
Rapid Response:
palliative care and symptom management in neurological disease
Dear Sir,
Pinnock et al highlight the difficulty, and often inappropriateness,
of attempting to identify a transition point to palliative care in
nonmalignant disease.
Many patients seen in neurology services with nonmalignant disease
unfortunately suffer from incurable disease, and progression of illness
may be associated (as in the case of Parkinson's Disease, Multiple
Sclerosis or Motor Neurone Disease) with impairment of cognition. This
added consideration can further complicate discussions regarding any
change in emphasis of care.
In the pre-terminal phase, supportive multidisciplinary management of
the patient and family/carers in the clinic, and a "palliative care"
approach, can overlap considerably. For these reasons, ongoing evaluation
of patient needs may be more appropriate than a sharp transition in care.
Competing interests: No competing interests