Our Services
About Us
Fellowships & Training
Grand Rounds
Memorial Service
Links to Resources
Bereavement Readings
Make a Donation
Medical ICU Project

Related News

Privacy
Disclaimers

Site Map

Site last updated 10/23/2008

Palliative Care Service

Palliative Care is a medical specialty that helps patients and their families live as well and as fully as possible when faced by a life-threatening illness.

Areas of expertise include: pain management and symptom control (e.g., treatment of fatigue or nausea); psychosocial and spiritual support for the patient and family, including young children; help with clarifying the goals of care and making decisions about treatment; and assuring good care outside the hospital. The team is made up of specially trained physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains and volunteers who provide care and support that enhances quality of life in the hospital, the patient's home, or in other settings such as a rehabilitation center.

In coordination with the primary care physician or specialists, we serve patients who are receiving curative or life-prolonging treatments at the earliest phases of a life-threatening condition, as well as those who are living with a serious chronic illness or dealing with advanced stages of disease.

"Many people believe that this is a time when medical professionals can no longer help, but that's not true. Even when treatment to cure or control the illness has reached its limit, the Palliative Care Service can still help to assure comfort and to provide support to patients and families."

---J. Andrew Billings, MD, Director, MGH Palliative Care Service

MGH Palliative Care Service, 55 Fruit Street, Founders 600, Boston, MA 02114
Telephone: (617) 724-9197 Fax: (617) 724-8693