What can Palliative Medicine do?

We perceive palliative medicine as active life assistance. The paramount objective of palliative medicine is to promote the quality of life of those patients who suffer from a serious and advanced illness. You are in the best position to know what most affects your quality of life. Therefore, our palliative care physician and nurses will first enquire how you feel and what issues concern you most at that time. This may include specific physical symptoms such as pain but often, concerns about work, relatives, home affairs or spiritual issues also play an important part. Conversely, your illness may also of concern to your relatives and friends. It is important that we have an open mind to all these matters; only then can we find out what is best for you.

At the Department of Palliative Medicine, nursing, medical and psychosocial care have equal status in our multidisciplinary team. Patient navigators, physicians, nursing personnel, social workers, ministers of religion, physiotherapists and volunteer employees are available for you at any time to answer questions and accompany you throughout your treatment at CIO. With regard to medical care, we treat your symptoms on the basis of the most recent scientific guidelines and recommendations. Psychosocial  services provide support in coping with your fear and anxiety, sadness and the particular strain of  psychological and emotional stresses. Psychologists from Haus LebensWert provide care for patients and relatives. Due to the close proximity of Haus LebensWert to the Cologne campus, the variety of services it offers are often utilised and have proven to be very effective. The spiritual care services are not tied to any religious  orientation or world view but are available independently to deal with questions about suffering and the purpose of life. All these measures are directed towards helping you to retain your independence and lead a fulfilled life for as long as possible.

The following pages cannot and should not be used as a substitute for  discussions with your treating doctor but they can provide you with additional information. The basis on which you should take up any offers of assistance with your condition, should be that those suggestions are based on scientifically proven measures.