Palliative care is specialised medical care focused on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for patients with serious illness — it complements curative treatment and is not only for end of life.
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness — through prevention and relief of suffering by early identification, impeccable assessment, and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems. WHO emphasises that palliative care is applicable at any stage of serious illness, alongside curative or disease-modifying treatment — it is not reserved for dying patients.
Palliative care services in Korea are provided at the National Cancer Center (for cancer patients), specialist palliative care teams at major general hospitals, and paediatric palliative care at children's hospitals such as Severance Children's Hospital. Services include: expert pain and symptom management (pain, nausea, breathlessness, fatigue), psychological and emotional support for patients and families, spiritual care, advance care planning (discussing future wishes), and coordination between healthcare teams. Home-based and hospice palliative care allowing patients to be cared for outside acute hospitals is a growing priority of Korea's national health strategy.
Common misconceptions: palliative care does not mean giving up hope or hastening death — it often enables patients to live longer and better. Opioid pain medications used in palliative care do not hasten death when used appropriately; they relieve suffering. Advance care planning — documenting preferences for future care — is an act of agency that helps families and healthcare teams honour a patient's wishes.
Key Points
- Palliative care starts at diagnosis — not only at end of life
- Goal: relieve suffering and improve quality of life alongside curative treatment
- The National Cancer Center and major hospitals provide specialist palliative care
- Pain management with opioids does not hasten death when used appropriately
- Advance care planning respects patient autonomy and wishes
When to See a Doctor
- Any patient with serious illness — palliative care can start early
- Uncontrolled pain, breathlessness, or other symptoms
- Facing difficult treatment decisions
- Family needing support in caring for seriously ill patient
For emergencies in Korea, call 119
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This content is published for educational purposes only. For accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment, consult a licensed KMA physician in Korea.
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Medical Disclaimer
This article is published by DoctorsInKorea.com for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace a professional clinical evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider. For accurate medical diagnosis and personalised treatment paths, please book an appointment with a licensed KMA physician. For immediate life-threatening medical emergencies in Korea, please call 119.
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Last reviewed: March 1, 2025