Quality Standards and National Initiatives
More than 12 million people in the United States are living with at least one serious illness, and this number is expected to increase significantly over the next several decades. Despite the U.S. having the highest health care utilization in the world for those with serious illness, data demonstrate that this population routinely receives care characterized by inadequately treated symptoms, poor or non-existent communication with health care providers about the nature of the illness and what to expect, and enormous strain on family members or other caregivers.
CAPC is working to transform the U.S. health care system so that all people living with serious illness reliably receive health care from their frontline care teams that aligns treatment decisions with patient-determined goals and values, addresses symptom burden, and—for patients whose needs are most complex—connects patients to board-certified palliative care specialists and certified palliative care programs. The pages below highlight available resources and ongoing efforts to achieve this transformation.