Mayo Clinic's approach
At Mayo Clinic, a team of palliative medicine specialists approaches each person's case with creativity and empathy. The team meets with you and your family to understand your treatment options and goals and develop a plan that addresses your concerns.
The team members spend as much time as needed with you and your family, supporting you every step of the way. They'll help you control your symptoms, relieve stress, and improve quality of life for both you and your family.
Mayo Clinic offers palliative care to people who are hospitalized and those who have returned home after treatment and would be coming to a clinic appointment or moved to a care facility. If you are moving to a care facility, ask your palliative care team how you could continue with this care. It will depend on where you are going and which facility you are going to. They may be able to find some resources for you and your family. The palliative care team partners with you, your family and your other health care providers.
Hospital services
You or your primary team of providers can request palliative care services at any time while you're being treated at one of Mayo Clinic's hospitals. Board-certified specialists meet with you and your family to begin building a care plan that meets your physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Outpatient services
Mayo's outpatient palliative care service can supplement your care if you are receiving your care at Mayo Clinic Health System. If not, the palliative care service will help you find a palliative provider close to your home, even if you are not being treated by a Mayo Clinic health care provider. If you are living with pain and other symptoms due to a life-threatening illness, ask your provider for a palliative care referral.
Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota offers a Symptom Management, Pain and Quality of Life Clinic for outpatient consultation.
Palliative care for children
Mayo Clinic's campuses in Minnesota and Arizona offer palliative care for children. Child life specialists offer education and therapeutic play activities to comfort children during difficult health care experiences.
Teamwork
Board-certified palliative medicine specialists at Mayo Clinic collaborate with a full range of care providers, including primary health care providers, pharmacists, advanced practice clinicians, dietitians, massage therapist, musical therapist, physical therapist, social workers and chaplains to develop a care plan that is right for you.
Experience
Our palliative medicine doctors are board certified. This means they have advanced training in this medical specialty, including knowledge to assess, anticipate and manage symptoms. At Mayo Clinic each year, the palliative care teams help thousands of seriously ill people and their families, in various care settings.
Research
As specialists of a research institution, Mayo Clinic doctors continually study how to improve the effectiveness of palliative care. You benefit from those treated before you, and your treatment contributes to new knowledge for the future of palliative medicine.
Mayo Clinic Children's Center
Highly skilled pediatric experts diagnose and treat all types of conditions in children. As a team, we work together to find answers, set goals and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child's needs.
Learn more about the Children's Center.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.
Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.