The Brussels Pluralist Federation for Palliative and Continuing Care believes that palliative and continuing care should be organised around the following core values :
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They are focused on patients suffering from an incurable illness (patient focused > disease focused) and their family members.
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They aim to improve the quality of life, treat pain and other symptoms, and comprehensively manage suffering by integrating the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects (care > cure).
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They offer a coordinated network of specialised and interdisciplinary care.
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Yhey emphasise communication respectful of the philosophical and cultural values of the person and respect for ethical values (dignity, autonomy, etc.).
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They are integrated into healthcare with the idea of a continuum. Continuing care is not limited to the terminal phase, but takes into account that the end of life constitutes an important constituent of this type of care.
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They take into account that the end-of-life process is not just a medical event, but a human event potentially promoting personal growth.
PUBLIC HEALTH