Getting comfortable with death. Evolution of the care of the dying patient.

In this article, we provide an overview of the historical evolution and ongoing transformation of care for the dying patient. We examine the rise of hospice and palliative care and its eventual designation as a formal discipline and discuss growing recognition of the need for earlier palliative care for the seriously ill. Finally, we consider potential future challenges in the delivery of care to the dying patient as health care continues to change over time.