August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

Interpreting in Palliative
Care

Produced with the support of the

California HealthCare Foundation

www.chcf.org
August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

Palliate to make less severe

=
In health care, to palliate means
to lessen the severity of pain or
disease
without curing
or removing the underlying
cause.
August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

Remember this!
Palliative care

August 2011

treat prevents, relieves

s, or
the symptoms
of a serious or chronic
illness
but does not
cure it.
Interpreting in Palliative Care

Remember this too!

Palliative care
+ curative
care
O
R
Palliative care
alone,
when curative
care

August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

In a nutshell
Palliative care

August 2011

improves the
quality of life
for patients who
are facing
serious illness
as well as for
their family and
friends.

Interpreting in Palliative Care

Palliative
care
Hospice care
Pain
management
Comfort
care
August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

BOTH palliative care and

hospice . . .

August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

Hospice . . .

August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

Hospice . .
.

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Interpreting in Palliative Care

10

Palliative
Care

Graphic by Anne Kinderman, MD; used with

permission.
August 2011
Interpreting in Palliative Care

11

But what
about
comfort
care?

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Interpreting in Palliative Care

12

Palliative care provides:

Time for meetings and
counseling.
Expertise in managing
physical and emotional
symptoms.
Support in resolving
conflicts.
Coordination of care across

August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

13

e
v
i
t
a
i
l
Pal
.
.
e
r
a
C

August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

m
a
te

a
s
i
. . r t!
o
f
e

14

Palliative care teams help

with:
Establishing goals of
care
Managing symptoms
Patient discharge
Difficult conversations
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Interpreting in Palliative Care

15

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Interpreting in Palliative Care

16

Remember
You are interpreting
meaning.

Are there messages

communicated only by
context, tone or word
choice?
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Interpreting in Palliative Care

17

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Interpreting in Palliative Care

18

Palliative care emphasizes

Maximizing quality of life.

Management of pain and
symptoms.
Communication among the
treating physicians.
Coordination of medical and
supportive services.
Assistance with patient
decision-making about care.
Support for caregivers.
Delivery by a team, including

August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

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August 2011

Interpreting in Palliative Care

20