Palliative Care in the Context of Public Health: Policies and Practices

Abstract

Palliative care is essential in medicine to improve the quality of life for patients with severe and terminal illnesses. This study reviews policies and practices of palliative care in the context of public health, aiming to identify the main challenges and recommendations. A narrative literature review was conducted using Boolean descriptors such as "Palliative Care," "Quality of Life," "Health Policies," and "Public Health" in Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. Articles published in the last 20 years, available in full text and relevant to the scope of the research, were selected. After an initial analysis of 325 articles, 50 were included in the final review. The results indicate that integrating palliative care into primary health care, continuous education of health professionals, and the development of robust public policies are crucial for the effectiveness of these services. Expanding access, continuous training, and creating national guidelines were identified as essential measures to improve patients' quality of life. It is concluded that the effective implementation of palliative care in public health requires well-defined public policies, adequate professional training, and the integration of these services into health systems, ensuring equitable access and adequate support for patients and their families.