Introduction to Hospice Palliative Medicine

Abstract

The Latin word hospes first meant 'stranger'. By late classical times, the word had changed and denoted a 'host', while hospitlais meant 'friendly', a welcome to the stranger. From it derived hospitality and thence many words have been used until today; hospital, hostel, hostelry, hotel- and hospice. Another noun was derived-hospitium, originally the warm feeling between host and guest, and later the place where this feeling was experienced. The term 'hospice' has assumed a particular meaning in the context of modern scientific medicine which it did not have in former times. The medieval hospice offered lodging for the traveler, and basic continuing care for the elderly or the dying. In modern hospice, the word 'hospice' was used solely for care of the dying patients. In 1967, Dr. Cicely Saunders introduced and applied the scientific concept of research to the care of the dying, along with establishing many of our current clinical practices. The term 'palliative medicine' was defined by Dr. Derek Doyle as "the study and management of patients with active, progressive, far-advanced disease for whom the prognosis is limited and the focus of care is quality of life". The World Health Organization also defined palliative medicine as "the active care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment". Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of psychological, social, and spiritual problems, is paramount. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best quality of life for patients and their families.