News – Sheridan Media
Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Allison Dawson appeared on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to discuss palliative care — a type of care often confused with hospice.
Dr. Dawson said palliative care is not a new concept, but formal recognition of the specialty is fairly recent.
Throughout history, individuals have cared for the terminally ill. Many times this was done by family members, designated community members or church clergy. In 2006, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) formally recognized Hospice and Palliative Medicine as a subspecialty. The ABMS represents 24 certifying boards and approximately 1 million active, board-certified physicians.
Palliative care doctors and their teams focus on relieving pain, symptoms and other forms of suffering, as well as addressing the psychological and spiritual needs of patients.
Dr. A. Dawson
Dr. Dawson would like the public to understand that palliative care is not hospice. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life, while hospice care focuses on comfort and support during about the last six months of life. Unlike hospice, palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, even while the patient is receiving curative treatments.
Palliative care is not only for the patient. Although the patient is the primary focus of care, the impact of a diagnosis on family members can be debilitating. Dawson said palliative care also extends to loved ones.
Dr. A. Dawson
To learn more about palliative care at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, click here and Dr. Allison Dawson, click here.
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Last modified: August 20, 2025