Michael L. Parchman, MD
Michael L. Parchman, MD is the Co-director of the South Texas Ambulatory Research Network known as STARNet. He is also an Investigator with the VERDICT health services research program in the South Texas Veterans Health Care System as well as the Mario E. Ramirez Endowed Distinguished Professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in the Department of Family & Community Medicine. A graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Parchman is a family physician whose areas of interest include health services research with a focus on primary care processes and outcomes, understanding primary care settings as a type of complex adaptive systems, practice-based research network (PBRN) development and methodologies, and improving outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes in the primary care clinic setting.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
