Multidimensional Well-being in Palliative Care: Operationalizing WHO’s Constitutional Vision Across Clinical and Public Health Systems
ჩამოტვირთვები
Background:
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Despite this foundational vision, contemporary health systems continue to prioritize biomedical outcomes over multidimensional well-being. The growing global burden of serious health-related suffering, particularly in the context of non-communicable diseases and population ageing, underscores the urgency of operationalizing well-being within palliative care and public health systems.
Objective:
This paper aims to conceptualize and operationalize multidimensional well-being in palliative care by integrating WHO’s constitutional definition with contemporary empirical evidence and health systems frameworks.
Methods:
A narrative, conceptually driven synthesis of global policy documents, randomized clinical trials, health systems research, and well-being measurement literature was conducted. Key sources include WHO policy resolutions, the The Lancet Commission on Palliative Care and Pain Relief, and peer-reviewed empirical studies on early palliative care, dignity-based interventions, caregiver outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.
Results:
Evidence demonstrates that early and integrated palliative care improves quality of life, reduces depressive symptoms, enhances existential well-being, decreases avoidable hospital utilization, and strengthens caregiver resilience. Multidimensional well-being encompasses physical symptom relief, psychological adaptation, social connectedness, and spiritual meaning-making. However, measurement challenges persist, particularly regarding culturally sensitive and system-integrated patient-reported outcome tools. A multilevel integration framework is proposed, embedding well-being across patient, family, community, professional, and policy domains.
Conclusion:
Operationalizing well-being as a measurable health system outcome transforms palliative care from a peripheral service into a foundational pillar of equitable and sustainable healthcare. Embedding multidimensional well-being into clinical workflows, public health monitoring, and universal health coverage strategies offers a pragmatic pathway for realizing WHO’s constitutional vision in contemporary health systems.
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