Palliative & Supportive care works on a comprehensive care plan model, where all the needs of the patient & family are assessed/anticipated and planned for. This includes physical care needs, psychosocial needs, emotional needs & spiritual needs of the patient. Advanced care planning also includes planning access to pain medicines, other resources required for the patient & care in the last week’s or days of life. Communication needs of the patient & family are also considered & what is important for them is given priority, as well.

a) Physical Care Needs

• Extreme weakness, fatigue, help for daily activities
• Pain relief
• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation
• Anxiety, tension, confusion, depression.
• Breathlessness
• Wounds

b) Psychosocial, Emotional and Spiritual care needs.

• Family conflicts, dignity, respect, autonomy in decision making
• Sense of being loved, safety, spiritual, in relation to transcendence, meaning of life, Peace, key relations, legacy etc.
• Anxiety, tension, confusion, depression.
• Suffering of the family / care taker and their care to ensure they stay healthy.
• Grief and bereavement of the family.

c) Care planning and coordination needs.

• Charting out of the comprehensive care plan, including advance care plan
• Access to medicines
• Provision of resources
• Care in last weeks / days of life

d) Communication Needs

• Communication about diagnosis and prognosis
• Information about treatment options.
• Information about supportaive and palliative care
• Communication about patient's priorities