Cardiopulmonary System

The broad range of palliative care needs are similar in cardiopulmonary disease as in other forms of serious illness. As new interventions reshape their clinical course and prognosis, palliative care has become the new standard of care for patients with serious cardiac/pulmonary diseases. Palliative care providers, including physician assistants, will need to be adept in advanced symptom management and communication skills that are unique to this for both patients and caregivers. This specialty provides opportunities for more nuanced advance care planning and goals-of-care discussions. In addition, earlier primary palliative care will provide more time to address end-of-life issues that are inherent to the care of this population—leading to a smoother transition to hospice.