Evaluating survival likelihoods in palliative patients using multiple criteria of survival rates and quality of life

Palliative care concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms, rather than providing a cure. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve the quality of life for people facing serious, complex illness. It is therefore critical in the palliative environment that caregivers are able to make recommendations to patients and families based on reasonable assessments of amount of suffering and quality of life. This research uses statistical methods of evaluation and prediction as well as simulation to create a multiple criteria model of survival rates, survival likelihoods, and quality of life assessments. The results have been reviewed by caregivers and are seen to provide a solid analytical base for patient recommendations.