Central Texas Palliative Care Associates (CTPCA)

Palliative care is focused on alleviating suffering and promoting quality of life. The professionals at Central Texas Palliative Care Associates are here to help you with pain and symptom management, information sharing and advance care planning, psychosocial and spiritual support, and coordination of care.

Palliative care is provided by an interdisciplinary team to patients and families living with a life-threatening or advance illness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Palliative Care and CTPCA

1. WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?

Palliative care is comfort oriented comprehensive management of the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients. It is especially suited for the care of people with incurable, progressive illnesses where the focus is comfort and maximizing quality of life.

2. WHAT SERVICES ARE OFFERED?

• Consultation by a physician, nurse, social worker and chaplain for symptom management
• Determination of goals of care
• Advanced care planning
• Facilitation of communication between patient/family and medical team
• Management of complications of disease and/or treatment
• Anticipatory guidance
• Care of patients with advanced illness

Referrals may be made to other disciplines and support services at the physician’s discretion.

3. WHO CAN REFER SOMEONE TO CTPCA?

In an inpatient setting, the referrals freuquently come from the patient’s attending physician, but are often suggested by hospital case managers or social workers. Anyone can refer an outpatient.

4. WHOM SHOULD I REFER TO CTPCA?

Patients with advanced illness with unmet symptom needs or psychosocial issues. Patients who are eligible for palliative care services do not need to be enrolled in a hospice program. Patients with chronic pain in the absence of life limiting illness should be referred to pain clinics.

5. WHEN SHOULD SOMEONE SEEK CTPCA SERVICES?

When curative care has a diminishing benefit and a more comprehensive approach to care is desired.

6. WHY SHOULD I REFER SOMEONE TO CTPCA?

Patients who receive palliative care services generally report better pain control, increased satisfaction with medical care, and increased quality of life. Both patients and families benefit from a transition period (when possible) between curative and comfort oriented care.

7. HOW DO I REACH DR. LEIGH FREDHOLM?

The office number is (512) 397-3360. Dr. Fredholm can be reached after hours at (512) 706-6662.

8. WHERE DO CONSULTATIONS OCCUR?

A consultation can occur wherever the patient is located: home, nursing home, assisted living, hospital and physician’s office.

9. DOES DR. FREDHOLM ASSUME PRIMARY CARE?

Dr. Fredholm can assume primary care of hospice patients. All palliative care patients remain in the care of their primary physician.

10. DOES INSURANCE COVER THIS?

Medicare and Medicaid routinely cover consultation services. Third-party insurers cover consultations at varying levels; please consult the insurer for benefits and coverage.