Palliative care for patients with severe chronic lung diseases - a Swiss position paper.

Background: Severe chronic lung diseases are frequently associated with a high symptom burden, dependence on caregivers, poor quality of life and a high risk of early mortality. Medical, psychological and social situations can become increasingly complex despite established disease-modifying treatment. In patients with lung cancer, palliative care (PC) is well established; however, PC is typically underused in chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.

Healthcare professionals' representation toward optimal palliative care provision for COPD patients: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition causing chronic physical symptoms, psychological burdens, as well as social consequences. This contributes to a major decrease in quality of life (QoL). Palliative care (PC) is a person-centered approach intended to relieve physical, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering.