Palliative care

Palliative care involves symptom relief, maintaining quality of life, and supporting the patient and their loved ones at various stages of the illness. Palliative care can be initiated early, even at the diagnosis stage, and is implemented alongside disease-specific treatments.

Palliative care in brief

Our palliative services are aimed at patients suffering from progressive, symptomatic illnesses. Typical patient groups include cancer patients, but the service is also suitable for other patient groups.

• Our goal is to help the patient live as full a life as possible despite their illness.
• Good symptom management is important at any stage of the disease, even alongside disease-modifying treatments. By alleviating symptoms, the best possible quality of life can be ensured.
• Palliative care team and services at Docrates

Docrates´palliative services are based on multidisciplinary cooperation and an individualized treatment plan. Our care team consists of experienced professionals who work together for the patient’s best interest.

Our care team includes:

• Oncologists with palliative special competence: Responsible for the patient’s comprehensive care, symptom management, monitoring of disease progression, and coordination of the treatment plan.
• Anaesthesiologist (pain physician) with palliative special competence: Specialized in effective pain relief and alleviation of other symptoms.
• Psychologist and psychotherapist: Provide mental support to the patient and their loved ones in dealing with psychological challenges caused by the illness.
• Experienced nurses: Coordinate care, answer practical questions, and assist in arranging necessary examinations, appointments, and treatments.

If necessary, we can also arrange home-based services in cooperation with Mehiläinen’s home care services. This allows for care in the patient’s own familiar, comfortable, and safe environment. In addition, the symptom situation can be assessed at Docrates’ ward, where, for example, hydration and red blood cells can be administered, as well as parenteral nutrition if needed. Special pain-relieving measures can also be performed in cooperation with an anaesthesiologist and interventional radiologists.

Who is palliative care intended for?

Our palliative services are aimed at patients suffering from progressive, symptomatic illnesses. Typical patient groups include cancer patients, but the service is also suitable for other patient groups, such as those with muscular dystrophy. The goal is to support the patient and their loved ones at all stages of the illness, from diagnosis to the end of life. Good symptom management is important already during treatments, and its significance increases as the disease progresses and disease-modifying treatments end.

The course of palliative care

The course of palliative care at Docrates is planned individually based on the patient’s needs. The treatment plan is drawn up together with the patient and their loved ones.

• First appointment: Discussion with the attending physician and care team, where the patient’s situation, symptoms, and wishes are mapped out, and a treatment plan is created.
• Preparation of the treatment plan: An individualized treatment plan that includes medical and non-medical treatment methods for existing and foreseeable symptoms, the patient’s wishes and expectations for care and care location, follow-up, psychological support, and home care services if needed.
• Regular follow-ups: The patient’s condition and symptom situation are regularly monitored, and the treatment plan is updated as needed.
• Support for loved ones: Loved ones receive support and guidance at various stages of the illness.

For further information, please contact our booking service 010 773 2010 (mon-fri 8-16).