The failings of the American Health Care System in meeting the comprehensive needs of the seriously and terminally ill have led to both professional and public efforts to improve end-of-life care. Following a discussion of the shortcomings of end-of-life in America, this article describes the goals and philosophy of palliative care, while highlighting current innovative programs in end-of-life needs and insure quality of life for patients and families experiencing incurable, progressive illness. Health care professionals are called to respond to the challenges and opportunities of end-of-life care as individual health care providers, as members of professions, and as members of interdisciplinary teams committed to improving the care of the dying in America.
