Communication Within Hospice Interdisciplinary Teams: A Narrative Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2016

Publication Title

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

DOI

10.1177/1049909115613315

ISSN

1938-2715

Abstract

Hospice care is coordinated through an interdisciplinary team (IDT), which assures that a holistic care plan based on the patient’s wishes is implemented. The extent to which an IDT provides quality care may be associated with how effectively they communicate within the team as well as with patients, caregivers, and families. This review seeks to characterize communication strategies among hospice IDT members and to determine how such strategies impact patient care. Although the existing literature sheds some light on communication within hospice IDTs, further research is needed. Inquiry into the communicative process of IDTs in settings other than team meetings, such as during patient visits or informal settings, would provide a more comprehensive representation of how communication influences IDT dynamics and overall team functioning.

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