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Textbook of Palliative Care pp 1–15Cite as

Palliative Care in Chronic Illness and Multimorbidity

Abstract

Extended chronic phases of life-limiting illness and increasing multimorbidity present growing challenges that require a new approach to healthcare. A population-based approach is needed to harmonize policies, systems and services relating to chronic and palliative care. Partnerships are needed between different healthcare disciplines and specialties, and between health services and communities. Technology is likely to play an increasingly important role in transfer of information (including advance care plans) and enabling coordination of care. During periods of stability, patients and families should be actively involved in keeping well and helped to “hope for the best while preparing for the worst” to support sustained coping. A rapid response is needed to clinical events that helps people return to stability and takes preventive action against future events wherever possible. Transitions between chronic and terminal phases of illness and different settings (community, residential and hospital) need focal support to prevent people “falling through the gaps.” The optimal timing of referral to specialist palliative care services is the subject of ongoing debate and research. Consumer advocacy may play an important role in raising awareness and advocating for appropriate resourcing and changes to policy and legislation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia

    Tim Luckett, Meera Agar & Jane Phillips

  2. South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

    Meera Agar

  3. Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

    Meera Agar

  4. Palliative Care Service, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

    Meera Agar

Authors
  1. Tim Luckett
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  2. Meera Agar
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  3. Jane Phillips
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Correspondence to Meera Agar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. HammondCare Learning and Research Centre, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, New South Wales, Australia

    Roderick Duncan MacLeod

  2. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VUB-UGent End-of-Life Care Research Grou Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

    Lieve van den Block

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Luckett, T., Agar, M., Phillips, J. (2018). Palliative Care in Chronic Illness and Multimorbidity. In: MacLeod, R., van den Block, L. (eds) Textbook of Palliative Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31738-0_64-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31738-0_64-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31738-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31738-0

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  1. Latest

    Palliative Care in Chronic Illness and Multimorbidity
    Published:
    27 October 2023

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31738-0_64-2

  2. Original

    Palliative Care in Chronic Illness and Multimorbidity
    Published:
    11 January 2018

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31738-0_64-1

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