Advances in palliative care relevant to the wider delivery of healthcare

The availability of a variety of opioids, together with the discovery of new uses for old drugs (such as ketamine), assists individualised pain management in palliative care. Experience in palliative care provides reassurance that the effective use of opioids and sedatives does not accelerate the approach of death. In taking patient histories, recognising the spiritual component of life experience enlarges the focus of care. Interdisciplinary care brings many different insights to care situations in a prospective and cooperative way. Models of bereavement care established in palliative care units deserve wider implementation in medicine. An "experiential" model of medical student education encourages a focus on the whole experience of patients and their journey with their carers.