Dr. Arpit Arora, Part 1

RUSK Insights on Rehabilitation Medicine

Part 1

Although cancer is the second lead cause of death in the U.S., the rate has been falling. It is becoming more of a chronic disease and has a treatment paradigm that is different from the past. Cancer also is the second most common cause of disability claims. Breast and prostate cancer have a heightened incidence of disabling complications, which is relevant because it is a potential interplay area of palliative care and rehabilitation. Fewer patients are dying in hospitals while the home and hospice settings are on a little upswing. He mentioned common symptoms (e.g., pain and shortness of breath) at end-of-life that differentiate patients with cancer from those who do not have it. The ultimate goal of palliative care and rehabilitation is to improve quality of life. Palliative medicine is one component of the bigger group of palliative care interventions. Regarding hospice care, someone may or may not be eligible for hospice services because of the insurance situation, but everybody is eligible for good end-of-life care and that is what can be provided regardless of insurance status. He then discussed what rehabilitation entails. One main focus is pain management. He indicated ways in which rehabilitation and palliative care can be provided together effectively in four domains, e.g., caregiver support.