Supportive & Palliative Care

Turn to Essentia Health's supportive care experts when you or a loved one are hospitalized and need extra support. This service is available in Duluth, Minnesota, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center and Essentia Health-Duluth (Miller-Dwan Building).

What's a Supportive & Palliative Care Specialist?

A supportive care specialist is a doctor with advanced training in the treatment of patients with serious or life-limiting illness. They work with a team who focuses on providing support and improving quality of life for patients and families through all stages of a serious illness.

Team-Based Approach

When you request supportive care, you’ll have a team of providers working together to deliver personalized treatment and support. Your supportive care team may include:

• Doctors
• Nurse practitioners
• Social workers
• Chaplains

Benefits of Supportive & Palliative Care

Supportive care, also called palliative care, provides extra support to people who are in the hospital with a serious or life-limiting health condition. Supportive care providers help people of all ages and at all stages of their illness, even from diagnosis. Rely on us to:

• Help you understand your illness or injury
• Explore your choices
• Align your treatment plan with your goals and personal values
• Coordinate with other members of your care team
• Address physical symptoms
• Offer emotional and spiritual support
• Make recommendations to improve your quality of life

Family-Centered Care

The illness of a loved one can affect the whole family. By request, our staff can work with you and your family to improve communication and help reduce stress.

When To Seek Supportive & Palliative Care

Supportive care may be right for you if you’re hospitalized with a serious or life-limiting health condition and you:

• Need help controlling symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, or constipation
• Visited the hospital or emergency room several times in the past few months for the same issues
• Want help making decisions, planning for your future, or setting goals for your medical care
• Want to create an advance directive, also known as a health care directive, to document your health care wishes

We will also work to coordinate your care with other members of your hospital care team.

Your First Consultation

Depend on your care team to always listen, respect your wishes, and advocate on your behalf. During your first visit with a supportive care team member, you may discuss:

• Your health condition
• Physical symptoms and how to address them
• How you and your family members are coping
• Your beliefs, fears, and goals for the future
• If you need help talking to your loved ones about your values and preferences for care

Our goal is to meet you where you are at and help with what matters most to you.