From Suffering to Dignity: Redefining Palliative Care Through Biopsychosocial, Spiritual, and Family-Centered Approaches

The modern healthcare landscape, shaped by high technology and commercialization, often reduces patients to biological entities in need of repair, neglecting their multidimensional needs. In response, the biopsychosocial model emphasizes holistic care that addresses physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions, recognizing patients as persons with inherent rights. Palliative care exemplifies this approach, integrating symptom management with psychological, spiritual, and family-centered support from diagnosis through the end of life. Spiritual well-being, dignity, and family involvement are central to improving quality of life, coping with illness, and mitigating suffering. Despite evidence of its effectiveness, spiritual and family-centered care remains systematically underdeveloped, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Conceptualizing palliative care as a public health priority highlights ethical obligations, equitable access, and the societal responsibility to uphold human dignity. This article argues that embracing biopsychosocial, spiritual, and family-centered approaches transforms palliative care from a clinical service into a humanizing practice that affirms patient autonomy, alleviates suffering, and strengthens the resilience of healthcare systems.