RESUMO
BACKGROUND: When the burdens of curative treatment outweigh the benefits, the goal of a patient's care may change from curing to comfort also called palliative care. It improves the quality of life of patients and families who face life-threatening illness, by providing pain and symptom relief, spiritual and psychosocial support from diagnosis to the end of life and bereavement. The essential components of palliative care are effective control of symptoms and effective communication with patients, their families, and others involved in their care. Rehabilitaion, with the aim of maximizing independence, is also essential. As the disease progresses, continuity of care becomes increasingly important, coordination between services is required, and information must be transferred promptly and effeciently between professionals in the community, in hospitals, and in hospices. Objectives: This report seeks to highlight the beginnings of palliative care worldwide and in Trnidad and Tobago, how these services developed and what the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have available at their disposal and lastly, a bit about how this field is projected to develop in the future. METHODOLOGY: For this report interviews were conducted with Dr. Richard Clerk and other members of the board of the Palliative Care Society of Trinidad and Tobago. Information was also collected at the palliative care society inaugural palliative care conference. This conference ran from the 22nd to the 23rd October, 2011. Major findings: Palliative care services in Trinidad and Tobago include 3 major hospices in Port of Spain and St. James, and other is being established at the Petrotrin Medical Centre located at Point a Pieere..... CONCLUSION: The population of Trinidad and Tobago is aging, as such there is a greater demand for palliative care, however services in Trinidad and Tobago are far from adequate for our popualtion however, great strides are being taken to resolve this deficit.....
