Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia now offers palliative care consulting for patients through a partnership with Lower Cape Fear Hospice.

The palliative care team is available to assess patients, make recommendations, attend family meetings and coordinate care, a Novant Health news release said.

Palliative care is specialized care for patients with serious, advanced or chronic illnesses that is offered along with conventional treatment. 

“Palliative care is for any illness at any stage. Most people think palliative care is just for end of life, but it can be given across a continuum. It doesn’t have to be end-stage or end of life. We’re there to be an extra layer of support for patients who are going through a complex illness,” Melanie Kelly, director of palliative care for Novant Health, said in the release. 

Palliative care services include treatment of symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue and anxiety; emotional and spiritual support; assistance with decision- making and guidance with treatment choices; and assistance with advance directives.

The release stated that benefits of palliative care include comprehensive and patient-centered care, symptom management to prevent a crisis, improved coordination of care among providers and awareness of goals, enhanced communication between patient/family and providers, and fewer readmissions to the hospital.