American College of Surgeons’ Statement of Principles of Palliative Care

Respect the dignity & autonomy of patients & caregivers.

Honor the right of the competent patient or surrogate to choose among treatments, including those that may or may not prolong life.

Communicate effectively with patients, families, caregivers.

Identify the primary goals of care from the patient’s perspective and address how the surgeon’s care can achieve these goals.

Strive to alleviate pain and other burdensome symptoms.

Recognize, assess, discuss, and offer services for psychological, social, spiritual issues.

Provide access to therapeutic support.

Recognize the physician’s responsibility to discourage treatments that are unlikely to achieve the patient’s goals.

Arrange for continuity of care thus alleviating the sense of abandonment that patients may feel when “curative” therapies are no longer useful.

Maintain a collegial & supportive attitude towards others entrusted with the care of the patient.