安宁疗护，让生命更有尊严

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of palliative care in improving the quality of life for terminally ill patients, highlighting its role as a public welfare initiative in China, especially in the context of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China which advocates for enhancing people's livelihoods [1][2]. Group 1: Current Status of Palliative Care - Palliative care is not about "giving up treatment" but involves systematic relief of physical pain and psychological distress for terminal patients, focusing on improving their quality of life [3][4]. - As of now, palliative care services are rapidly developing in China, with various pilot programs initiated since 2017, and a growing number of hospitals establishing specialized palliative care units [3][4][6]. Group 2: Multidisciplinary Approach - A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for effective palliative care, involving pain management and understanding patients' emotional needs, with collaboration among medical professionals, social workers, and volunteers [4][6]. - Recent guidelines in Beijing have included medical social workers in core service teams, promoting shared decision-making between patients and families [4][7]. Group 3: Community and Home-Based Care - Community and home-based palliative care is increasingly recognized as essential, aligning with cultural values of dying at home and addressing practical needs [5][6]. - Innovative models are being explored, such as the integration of hospital, community, and family support systems to enhance palliative care accessibility [6][7]. Group 4: Challenges and Opportunities - There are significant challenges in palliative care, including uneven resource distribution, insufficient professional training, and a lack of standardized practices across regions [8][10]. - The demand for palliative care is expected to rise, with estimates suggesting that around 7 million patients annually require such services, yet only about 600,000 currently benefit [7][10]. Group 5: Future Directions - The establishment of industry standards and training programs for palliative care professionals is essential to improve service quality and accessibility [9][10]. - Ongoing efforts to develop comprehensive guidelines and training initiatives aim to enhance the skills of healthcare providers in palliative care [9][10].