According to Villet-Lagomarsino, which of the following is NOT a key area in which hospice programs and palliative care programs differ?
options: a) Payment b) Symptom treatment c) Timing d) Location
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b) Symptom treatment.
Explanation:
Villet-Lagomarsino discusses the distinctions between hospice programs and palliative care programs primarily in terms of payment, timing, and location, rather than in the approach to symptom treatment.
- Payment:
Hospice care is typically covered under specific insurance benefits like Medicare’s Hospice Benefit in the U.S., which requires that a patient be certified as terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less and agree to forgo curative treatments. Palliative care, on the other hand, can be provided at any stage of illness and is usually paid for through standard health insurance or hospital billing since it often occurs alongside curative treatments. - Timing:
Timing is a major difference. Hospice care begins when curative treatment is stopped, and the focus shifts entirely to comfort and quality of life near the end of life. Palliative care can be initiated at any point in a serious illness—often alongside active treatment—and focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life without requiring cessation of curative efforts. - Location:
Hospice care is often provided in the home or in specialized hospice facilities, emphasizing comfort in a familiar or non-hospital setting. Palliative care is frequently provided in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or nursing homes as part of a broader healthcare approach.
Why Symptom treatment is NOT a key difference:
Both hospice and palliative care programs focus heavily on symptom management and relief of suffering. This aspect is central to both models and is similar in approach, aiming to control pain, nausea, breathlessness, and emotional distress. The philosophy of symptom control is shared, and this is not a distinguishing factor between hospice and palliative care.
In summary, while payment models, timing of care initiation, and care location differ between hospice and palliative care, their approach to symptom treatment is fundamentally the same, which makes symptom treatment the correct answer as the area where they do not differ according to Villet-Lagomarsino.