Question
What is the difference between curative and palliative care in cancer treatment?
Answer
Curative or therapeutic care aims to cure the illness and return the patient to their prior health status. The focus is treatments and therapies that help eliminate cancer and restore function. In this context, occupational therapy goals include restoring the patient’s previous levels of function and supporting their return to daily activities.
On the other hand, palliative care focuses on optimizing comfort, managing symptoms, and improving the quality of life for patients and their families. This type of care is often provided when a cure is not possible, and it includes reducing stress and supporting patient-centered goals. Occupational therapy in palliative care aims to balance comfort and function, helping patients maintain as much independence as possible and supporting them in achieving meaningful activities, even if their condition limits them.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Navigating The Journey: OT’s Role In Oncology And Navigating End-of-Life Care, by Kirsten Davin, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, SMS, CAPS, CHSE.
