An Exchange of Wards: Opportunities and Challenges Caring for Incarcerated Patients in Inpatient Palliative Care

Abstract

Rates of chronic and life-limiting illness among incarcerated people are expected to increase, leading to a concurrent rise in the need for palliative care services within this population. In this report, we present a case of a patient with newly diagnosed cancer admitted to the hospital from the carceral system. This case illustrates the individual, interpersonal, and health care and carceral systems-level obstacles that may arise when providing palliative care services to someone currently experiencing incarceration. We take this opportunity to reflect on opportunities in which palliative care clinicians can address the unique needs of incarcerated patients.