Psychosocial Aspects of Palliative Care.

BACKGROUND: Relief of suffering is a central goal for palliative care. Achievement of this goal can be difficult, however, due to the complex nature of suffering. METHODS: A psychosocial perspective is used to understand suffering and to identify interventions to relieve suffering in patients with advanced disease. RESULTS: Clinical experience and research suggest that attending to the psychosocial aspects as well as the medical aspects of palliative care has the potential of further reducing the suffering experienced by patients with advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS: Suffering is best viewed as a subjective phenomenon t hat can be influenced by biological, psychological and social processes. Interventions in each of these areas can help to relieve patient suffering.