The Commission developed the concept of health-related suffering (SHS) to describe suffering that compromises physical, social, or emotional functioning; cannot be relieved without medical intervention; and is typically greatly ameliorated by palliative care and pain relief.
The Commission agreed to include within the scope of health-focused palliative care:
- all health conditions associated with the end of life; and
- chronic or acute, life-threatening or life-limiting health conditions, diseases, and injuries.
The Commission decided not to focus on acute or chronic health conditions that are not life-threatening or life-limiting, including chronic, non-malignant pain.