Reframing Palliative Care: An East-West Integrative Palliative Care Model
Authors
S Mattai
Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
Ka-Kit Hui
Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
Keywords:
person-centered model, palliative care, integrative medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, symptom management, cost-effectiveness, reframing healthcare
Abstract
Convergence of principles of palliative care and integrative medicine has led to the introduction of the new practice of integrative palliative care in which integrative therapies (including mind-body modalities, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and dietary supplements) are used to provide symptom management for patients who are dying or experiencing the sequelae of serious illness and its treatment. We propose an East-West Integrative palliative care model using non-drug therapies, such as acupuncture, diet, exercise, and stress management that shift the paradigm from suppressing the symptoms of illness to addressing both the root cause of the symptoms and the imbalance and declining homeostatic reserve that perpetuate these symptoms. This whole-person model expands the reach of palliative care, prolonging a better quality of life and allowing the patient to maintain as many activities as possible by preventing symptoms and improving function. Through this approach we reframe the dialogue such that patients are “living better” rather than “dying better” when faced with serious illness or death. In this article, we provide an overview of the principles of palliative care, integrative medicine, and the novel area of integrative palliative care, and propose an East-West integrative palliative care model that incorporates and broadens the scope of these existing approaches.
Keywords: person-centered model, palliative care, integrative medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, symptom management, cost-effectiveness, reframing healthcare
Author Biography
Ka-Kit Hui, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
Center for East-West Medicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
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