Hospice Care: A New Opportunity for Pharmacists

Abstract

Hospices are programs of care for patients who have advanced, irreversible diseases and life expectancies that are measurable in weeks and months as opposed to years. The first hospice in the United States was started in 1974 as a National Cancer Institute demonstration project. Since that time, approximately 1,700 programs have been started in this country. Most hospice care is provided in the patients' homes. The focus of care is the relief of pain and other symptoms. Hospice is interdisciplinary and medically directed. Pharmacists are important members of hospice teams. This article will describe the development of hospice programs in this country, how pharmacists might become involved in hospice care, and the roles that pharmacists play in hospice programs. A variety of pharmacist expertise, including clinical skills, drug information capabilities, management, and compounding, are needed by hospice programs. Hospice presents a challenging and professionally rewarding practice for many pharmacists today. Many more pharmacists are needed.