Whole person, or holistic, care is one of the central ideas of palliative care: care is aimed not just at a medical good or a psychological good, but at the patient's total good, or best interests.

Whole person care implies respect for the patient's own personal goals and values that impose limits on the scope of professional activity directed toward such care.
It is necessary to accept that no treatment or care can be given that the informed and competent patient does not want — not even if the medical carer wishes to provide (unwanted) attention, nor provide solutions to the patient's emotional or social problems.

Recognition of this limitation is an integral part of the concept of whole person care, because included in this concept is the control individuals always have over their own psychological, social, and spiritual well-being.

Randall F, Downie RS. Palliative care ethics: a companion for all specialties. Oxford, London and New York. Oxford University Press. 1999. pp. 21-29.