Breaking Misconceptions Of Palliative Care

08 August 2023

Although the acceptance of palliative care has grown in recent years, it is still underused, mostly due to misconceptions.

Among the misconceptions of palliative care are that it is only for patients who are terminally ill, treatment ends when palliative care begins, and discussing palliative care deprives patients of having hope.

According to Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City’s (SMC) Consultant Palliative Medicine Physician and Head of Supportive and Palliative Care Service, Dr Hayati Yaakup, these misconceptions can deter patients and their carers from seeking palliative care at an earlier stage of their illness when it is most effective in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.