Palliative medicine is interdisciplinary, specialized medical care designed to improve the quality of life of patients with serious illness, regardless of diagnosis.  Palliative medicine works alongside the patient’s other physicians to provide an extra layer of support. The primary objectives of palliative medicine are to help patients and families understand the status and likely progression of their illness, and to help their physicians understand what is most important to the patient. This may involve conversations around prognosis, advance directives, expertly managing pain and symptom distress and or facilitating transition to community services. As such, palliative medicine promotes patient centered care by enhancing communication between health care providers to ensure that medical interventions are consistent with informed patient goals. In multiple studies across health care settings, palliative medicine has been demonstrated to improve the quality and satisfaction with health care.

USF Health's Palliative Medicine specialists serve inpatients at Tampa General Hospital. We are a team consisting of physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, chaplains all specially trained and certified in the care of seriously ill patients and their families.