Health promotion in palliative care: the case for conceptual congruence

Abstract

This article provides a critical review of the literature relevant to the conceptual foundations of health promoting palliative care. It explores the separate emergence and evolution of palliative care and health promotion as distinct concerns in health care, and reviews the early considerations given to their potential convergence. Finally, this article examines the proposal of health promoting palliative care as a specific approach to providing end of life care through a social model of palliative care. Research is needed to explore the impact for communities, health care services and policy when such an approach is implemented within palliative care organisations.

Keywords:

• palliative care
• health promotion
• conceptual congruence
• social models of health
• community
• death

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC] for funding this research. The research upon which this study was based received full ethical clearance and was carried out in accordance with universal ethical principles as articulated by NHMRC.

Notes

Notes

1. Authors’ emphasis.

2. Researchers’ emphasis.