multidisciplinary team work in hospice care

teamrn · Sep 19, 2000

Over the past nine years I've worked in hospice and feel that I work very well w/ all social workers, volunteers, CNAs and MDs. Every now and then we have a chaplain who doesn't 'fit' and is not always a team player. Don't know the reason for this but I have a few thoughts. By the way, hospice is an interdisciplainary-not multi approach. Maybe thats where a few chaplains go 'astray', 'cause when they're good, they're VERY good. Please let me know if I can help more.

painkiller · Aug 19, 2001

:eek: i was very interested in your comment about hospice chaplains. this is also something i have noticed working for different hospices across the country. most of the chaplains i have worked with are just not good at hospice work, they may be good as a pastor of their church, but don't seem to have a clue in the hospice setting. wonder why this is? it's frustrating to call the chaplain for a patient nearing death, or a family who needs support, then have a chaplain show up and talk about motor oil!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Aug 21, 2001

Think that working in hospice, you need to be able to face your own inmortality and be comfortable with letting go of a loved one or patient. The experiencae at the moment of death can be quite different from one family to the other. Preparation and going thru anticipated scenerios helps at times. Some chaplians, just like physicans have difficulty accepting loss. Working as a TEAM requires effort and understanding of each other, our strengths and weaknesses.

Check out the article and links under virtue of hospice thread.

Jenni Shand · Sep 17, 2001

I have been working in Palliative Care for 14 or so years.

With the multidisciplinary team all members need to have a common goal, be aware of their own role in the team as well as the roles of others, some roles can overlap. All members need to respect and trust each other and communicate clearly.

Problems can occur if any member is usure of their role, there is poor communication. As all members come from different backgrounds and have different beliefs and values this could cause conflict but we all need to remember that we are there to help both the patient and families and to do what is in their best interests.

As Balfour Mount said "Teams don't just happen they slowly and painfully evolve - the process is never complete."

Jenni:)