What is Palliative Care?

A Team Approach

Compassionate palliative care requires a team approach. The most important members of the team are you and your loved ones. The palliative doctor leads the team, working closely with your nurses, who will have regular contact with you.

Besides you, your loved ones, and the palliative doctor, the team can include:

• Your other doctors
• Nurse
• Social worker
• Pharmacist
• Chaplain
• Physical therapist
• Dietician
• Volunteers

Like palliative doctors, most of the team members receive training in palliative medicine. Learn more about palliative nursing. Learn more about palliative social workers.

You, your loved ones, the palliative doctor and other members of the team will have an initial meeting to determine your needs, wishes and goals for care. Based on your discussions, you and the team will make a plan. You will meet with various members of the team regularly and someone from the team – most often the nurse – will communicate with you daily to make sure your needs are being met. If you have concerns, questions or need help, you can call at any time of the day or night for assistance.