Paramedics treating patients’ palliative needs at home benefits everyone

Paramedics treating patients’ palliative needs at home benefits everyone
[Canada] The Conversation; 8/5/24
In a medical system that seems to be under constant bombardment — economic, pandemic, demographic — it’s refreshing to see solid evidence to support a new idea that improves care while saving valuable time and money.
It’s exactly what has been happening in several Canadian provinces that have been implementing innovative palliative programs to improve paramedic support to patients with palliative care needs. The idea is that paramedics, with some extra training, can provide patient-centred care in the homes of people living with cancer and other life-limiting conditions. It is intended to make patients as comfortable as possible as they spend their last days at home, which is where most Canadians say they’d prefer to die.