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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

An individual with a terminal illness (an illness from which there is little or no chance of recovery and that will most likely cause death in the near future) needs special care, especially as he or she approaches the end of life. Although there may be no chance of recovery from the illness, doctors can help such patients manage the discomfort and pain caused by the illness. Care that focuses on providing comfort rather than life-prolonging measures is called palliative care.

When individuals with terminal illnesses reach the last months or weeks of their lives, they often choose to have this type of care. Hospice care (see below) provides palliative care along with other services to make the dying process more comfortable. The February 8, 2006, issue of JAMA includes an article about palliative care. This Patient Page is based on one previously published in the February 21, 2001, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

HOSPICE CARE

Brian Pace, MA, Writer; Alison E. Burke, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor

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