Palliative Care Consultation

Abstract

Abstract Palliative care consultation can address and reflect the alignment of the field of palliative care and the profession of social work. In this chapter we discuss the growth of palliative care in the United States. There are a variety of practice models, inclusive of teams, that utilize consultation etiquette norms or indicator driven consultation. Indicator driven models may involve disease specific criteria, utilization criteria, or institutional priorities to trigger consultation. The evolution of palliative care is symbiotic with professional societies’ recognition and advocacy for integrated palliative care as a standard of care exemplified by the confluence of the Quadruple Aim and palliative care. . The components of excellence in palliative care consultation are discussed via a synopsis of goals of care and through the domains of palliative social work practice. A focus on opportunities for micro, mezzo, and macro approaches is considered within a structure that attends to clinical boundaries, peer support and intentional collaboration. Collaboration is a principal element in healthcare systems; this chapter introduces a framework for understanding the components that contribute to effective collaboration essential to the pivotal social work role as a liaison between the patient/family and members of the interprofessional team. Transitions are identified as crucial moments when social work can provide continuity of relationship and identify the meaning connected to changing health, function and relationships. Palliative care contributes to improving healthcare that is vital to patient-family experience, healthy teams, and thriving healthcare systems.