Primary Palliative Care in Japan

Abstract

The mortality rate in Japan due to life-threatening illnesses is predicted to increase rapidly. Delivering appropriate care for people with terminal illness is an important, but largely neglected, role of the health care system in many countries. Recently, the concept of “Primary Palliative Care” has been proposed internationally, and is commonly used as a generic term regarding the activities of primary care physicians and home care nursing services. The tasks of primary palliative care include : 1) caring for people with life-threatening illnesses ; 2) contributing a palliative care approach early in the disease process ; 3) embracing all dimensions of care, including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual ; and 4) providing end-of-life care in the community. By building a system of primary palliative care that is consistent with our nation's medical system and values, care that meets the individual and familys' needs can be provided in the primary care setting which will further enable us to contribute to the community.