Surgical Palliative Care

The American College of Surgeons Committee on Surgical Palliative Care is dedicated to improving the quality of surgical care of individuals, families, and populations facing serious illness, disability, death and bereavement. Through education, research, and advocacy our mission is to advance the integration of palliative care into surgical practice throughout the spectrum of surgical disease.

Share Your Surgical Palliative Care Research

Submit Abstracts by February 20

Abstracts can now be submitted for presentation consideration at the 10th annual Symposium for Research in Surgical Palliative Care, being held virtually on Thursday, April 23, from 7:00–8:30 pm CT.

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White Papers

Surgery, Palliative Care, and the American College of Surgeons

Principles and Core Competencies of Surgical Palliative Care: An Overview

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Statements

Statement of Principles of Palliative Care

This statement describes extending palliative care to a broad range of patients receiving surgical care.

Advance Directives by Patients: "Do Not Resuscitate" in the Operating Room

Advance directives, including DNR orders and requests, are being used with increasing frequency and may complicate the operative consent process.

ACS Publications and Resources

Surgical Palliative Care: Considerations for Career Development in Surgery and Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Surgical palliative care has garnered increasing attention from both surgical residents and practicing surgeons. Read more.