WHAT IS PAL-MED CONNECT?

The PAL-MED CONNECT hotline is a grant funded hotline that provides free expert information and educational resources to healthcare professionals regarding palliative care issues. Palliative care provides advanced pain and symptom management for individuals with chronic or life-limiting illnesses.

Who can access the PAL-MED CONNECT hotline?

Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Speak directly clinician to clinician.

Is the hotline free of charge?

Yes. This FREE service was made possible by a generous grant from Pacificare/UnitedHealthcare as part of an ongoing commitment dedicated to improving healthcare services through enhanced technology opportunities, supporting clinical education and driving preventative health initiatives.

What are the hotline's hours of operation?

The PAL-MED CONNECT hotline is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-877-PAL-MED4. Calls are directly answered by palliative care experts Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (PST). Outside of these hours, calls will be screened by a healthcare professional and returned the next business day or an expert will be paged for urgent calls.

What is the goal of the hotline?

The goal of the hotline is to provide expert palliative resources to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals on handling complex symptoms as they arise. The hotline provides information about options for treatment, evidence based articles, educational resources and references.

About The Institute for Palliative Medicine (IPM)

The Institute for Palliative Medicine (IPM) is committed to transforming healthcare and relieving suffering by improving the quality and accessibility of palliative care. IPM has achieved international recognition for its innovative education programs, patient/family-centered research and evidence-based advocacy. San Diego Hospice is one of the largest hospice and palliative care programs in the United States. Nearly 800 hospice staff and 700 volunteers annually care for over 4,000 adult and pediatric patients and their families, as well as more than 10,000 bereaved clients. IPM faculty members serve on San Diego Hospice interdisciplinary teams, facilitating the transfer of critical knowledge between academic and clinical settings. IPM advances the art and science of palliative care through the work of its Centers and Programs.