Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content
CW OHTFoundation

Text Resize

Colour Contrast

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact healthjustice@williamoslerhs.ca

View Our Accessibility Plan

CareersContact UsMyChartResearch

William Osler Healthcare Systems Logo William Osler Healthcare Systems Logo

Contact Us
  • Visiting Us
    • A-Z Services
    • Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion
    • Contact Us
    • Directions and Parking
    • Emergency and Urgent Care
    • Ethics
    • Find a Doctor or Service
    • Hospital Amenities
    • Patient Experience and Feedback
    • Patient Privacy and Safety
    • Paying Your Bill
    • Send Greeting Cards
    • Spiritual Health Therapy
    • Staying With Us
  • Areas of Care
    • Cancer Care
    • Cardiac Care
    • Critical Care
    • Diabetes Care
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency and Urgent Care
    • Endoscopy Services
    • Find a Doctor or Service
    • General Medicine
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Kidney Care
    • Laboratory Services
    • Mental Health and Addictions
    • Neurology
    • Outpatient Services
    • Palliative Care
    • Reactivation Care
    • Rehabilitation Services
    • Respiratory Therapy
    • Seniors' Care
    • Surgical Services
    • Virtual Care
    • Women's and Children's Services
  • For Professionals
    • Careers
    • Central West Ontario Health Team
    • Directions and Parking
    • Education
    • Find a Doctor or Service
    • Partners and Networks
    • Physician Opportunities
    • School of Medicine
  • Research and Outreach
    • Education
    • Global Health
    • Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation
  • Who We Are
    • Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion
    • Best Practice Spotlight Organization
    • Board of Directors
    • Build Osler
    • Business Development and Partnership Opportunities
    • Care Quality and Governance
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Directions and Parking
    • Get Involved
    • Latest News
    • Leadership Team
    • Patient Privacy and Safety
    • Volunteer
Nursing staff

Understanding palliative care

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email
Email icon Back to Search
(l-r): Liliana Astorino, Clinical RN, and Dr. Mitali Vatsraj, Palliative Care Physician

When the term “palliative care” is used, along with it can come some misunderstandings and uncertainty. Palliative care is a specialized kind of medicine that supports seriously ill patients helping to alleviate their pain and other symptoms associated with the disease. Palliative care is a vital practice that can transform the quality of life for patients and for their families.

We spoke with Osler’s Dr. Mitali Vatsraj, Palliative Care Physician and Liliana Astorino, Clinical RN, to debunk some of the most common myths about palliative care, and to learn about the impact compassionate care plays in supporting patients with a serious illness.

Myth #1: Palliative care and hospice care are the same.

One of the most common misconceptions is that the terms palliative care and hospice care are used interchangeably. However, while both focus on improving the quality of life for patients, they differ significantly.

Fact: Palliative care offers support to those dealing with a serious illness. It’s not just about managing pain; it’s about addressing the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the individuals throughout their journey. Palliative care is about enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families.

Palliative care is a philosophy of care that focuses on the patient’s overall wellbeing, relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. On the other hand, hospice care offers support to individuals who are nearing end-of-life. Hospice provides comfort and support rather than life prolonging treatments.

Myth #2: Palliative care is only for the terminally ill.

Palliative care is often viewed by many families as end-of-life care or giving up hope for the patient. However, neither is true and it is quite the opposite.

Fact: Everyone on the palliative care team carries hope with patients and families. The majority of the care focuses on supporting and educating patients and their families while they are receiving treatment for their underlying disease. Palliative care serves a diverse range of patients, from those with advanced cancer, to heart problems, to individuals with dementia. Patients receiving palliative care can vary by age, medical history, and prognosis. The approach to care is personalized and tailored to cater to each patient and their unique circumstance. Palliative care when integrated early in the illness can maximize the benefits of support.

Myth #3: Palliative care is siloed and there is no involvement from other care teams.

Fact: Palliative care takes a holistic approach, involving the patient’s entire care team, from physicians to nurses to specialists like occupational therapists, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. The practice of palliative care works because of the holistic approach of the entire team, partnering to really get to know the individual person - the patient they are caring for.

In addition to the physical support, there’s also immense emotional support that palliative care offers. From working with social workers, to the spiritual care team, to health care aides - successful palliative care can only be possible with the full spectrum of support across many different disciplines and teams.

Learn more about our Palliative Care team at Osler.

Email iconSubscribe

Who We Are
    • Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion
    • Best Practice Spotlight Organization
    • Board of Directors
      Toggle Section Board of Directors Menu
      • Community Representatives on Board Committees
      • Meet the Board of Directors
    • Build Osler
      Toggle Section Build Osler Menu
      • Build Brampton Civic
      • Build Peel Memorial
    • Business Development and Partnership Opportunities
    • Care Quality and Governance
      Toggle Section Care Quality and Governance Menu
      • Accessibility Plan
      • Annual Report
      • Clinical Priorities Plan
      • Leadership Team
      • Patient Safety Plan
      • Public Reporting
        Toggle Section Public Reporting Menu
        • Clostridium Difficile
        • Hand Hygiene Compliance
        • Hospital-Acquired Infections Rates and Trends
        • Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureas
        • Questions About Hospital-Aquired Infection Rates
        • Surgical Site Infection Prevention
      • Quality Governance Council
      • Quality Improvement Plan
      • Strategic Plan
    • Careers
      Toggle Section Careers Menu
      • Career Opportunities
      • Physician Opportunities
      • What We Offer
    • Contact Us
    • Directions and Parking
    • Get Involved
      Toggle Section Get Involved Menu
      • Board of Directors
      • Community Representatives on Board Committees
      • Patient and Family Advisory Council
      • Volunteer
    • Latest News
      Toggle Section Latest News Menu
      • Media Relations Policy
      • Subscription Form
    • Leadership Team
    • Patient Privacy and Safety
    • Volunteer
      Toggle Section Volunteer Menu
      • Apply to Volunteer

Contact Us

Subscribe to this Page

William Osler Health System logo with Accreditation Canada seal

Brampton Civic
Hospital

2100 Bovaird Drive East,
Brampton, ON L6R 3J7
Phone: 905-494-2120
More Information

Etobicoke General
Hospital

101 Humber College Boulevard,
Etobicoke, ON M9V 1R8
Phone: 416-747-3400
More Information

Peel Memorial Centre for
Integrated Health and Wellness

20 Lynch Street,
Brampton, ON L6W 2Z8
Phone: 905-494-2120
More Information

Reactivation Care
Centre

200 Church Street,
Etobicoke, ON M9N 1N8
Phone: 416-243-4390
More Information

Withdrawal Management
Centre

135 McLaughlin Road South,
Brampton, ON L6Y 2C8
Phone: 905-456-3500
More Information

View our Facebook Page View our Instagram Page View our LinkedIn Page View our Twitter Page View our YouTube Page
Contact UsNLOT/IPAC Hub PortalPrivacyRemote AccessSitemapTerms of UseVicNetWebsite Feedback

© Copyright 2021 William Osler Health System

By GHD Digital

I Want To...

Pay Bill OnlineProvide Feedback
Find icon

Find

  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Directions and Parking
  • Emergency and Urgent Care Wait Times
  • Find a Doctor or Service
  • Health Records
  • Labour and Delivery
  • Mental Health and Addictions
  • MyChart
  • Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation
  • Paying Your Bill
  • Preparing for Surgery
  • Send Greeting Cards
Get Involved icon

Get Involved

  • Careers
  • Donate to Osler Foundation
  • Patient and Family Advisory Council
  • Volunteer
Learn icon

Learn

  • Global Health
  • Latest News
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.