| Abstrakt: |
Palliative medicine is a relatively new specialty within the United States. Palliative care concepts are of use for emergency physicians when they manage patients with incurable and/or terminal conditions. The dying process and medical futility are discussed in the context of their emergency department management, including the use of advance directives and communication techniques to facilitate such care. The most common palliative care emergencies are reviewed, including acute pain crisis, intractable dyspnea, hypercalcemia, and spinal cord compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
