Palliative psychiatry for severe and persistent mental illness

Abstract

Despite all of psychiatry's efforts to prevent mental illness and to promote recovery, some patients will develop severe and persistent mental illness (SMI). These patients represent a particularly vulnerable population, at risk of either therapeutic neglect or overly aggressive care. We propose a complementary approach in the treatment of SMI; palliative psychiatry, as a means to improve quality of care, person-centeredness, and autonomy for SMI patients.