Evolution of the Palliative Team

Hospice and palliative care teams are inherently interdisciplinary to be able to assess and address all the domains of palliative care for patients with chronic, complex, and life-limiting illness. These domains include the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and practical needs of patients and families, among others. The disciplines include, but are not limited to, physician, advanced practice provider, pharmacist, nurse, social worker, and chaplain, among others. Advanced practice providers are defined in the National Consensus Project Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care as physician assistants and advanced practice nurses utilized to expand the capacity of palliative care interdisciplinary teams to deliver complex care and provide direct care. The term advanced practice provider means either physician assistants or advanced practice nurses. The development of an interdisciplinary team in the midst of team and consult growth is essential to be able to provide high-quality palliative care. Team resilience should be supported and maintained as it is necessary to meet the high demand for specialty palliative care services throughout the care continuum.