A Valuable, Detailed Guide for North American Palliative Care Teams
Intentionally Interprofessional Palliative Care
DorAnne Donesky, Michelle M. Milic, Naomi Tzril Saks, Cara L. Wallace, editors
Oxford University Press, 2024
464 pp, hardcover
ISBN: 9780197542958
Also available as: Ebook, Oxford Medicine Online
Reviewed by Anna Keedwell, MD
Cabrini Health, Australia
Intentionally Interprofessional Palliative Care is a thorough, North American-focused textbook that serves as a detailed guide for palliative care teams. With contributions from experts in nursing, medicine, social work, and spiritual care, this book is a valuable resource for professionals striving to provide holistic, interprofessional care for patients facing life-limiting conditions. The editors, all deeply embedded in the field of palliative care, have created a guide that thoughtfully combines evidence-based frameworks with real-world applications, making it accessible and relevant for both seasoned professionals and students entering the field.
The book emphasizes that true interprofessional palliative care transcends traditional hierarchical structures. This commitment to a collaborative approach is evident from the outset, with each chapter beginning with a summary of key points and ending with discussion questions that encourage readers to reflect on how these principles can be applied in their own practice. This structure supports active learning and makes the book ideal for both individual study and classroom use. As the authors put it, “Using unclear terminology heightens the risk of reinforcing traditional hierarchies and power structures that can limit team effectiveness to address the needs of the whole patient” (Ch 4), reinforcing the idea that clarity and collaboration are essential in effective palliative care.
The book is divided into 17 chapters, each addressing distinct aspects of interprofessional palliative care. It opens with an exploration of the development of palliative care as a specialty (Ch 2) and the roles of various professions within the palliative team (Ch 3). This foundation is vital, as it establishes the diverse perspectives and skills that each discipline brings to the table. The text underscores the importance of understanding each other’s roles, stating, “For teams to function at their best, understanding others’ roles is key.” This foundational knowledge lays the groundwork for an environment of mutual respect and shared responsibility.
Chapters dedicated to theories and frameworks (Ch 5) and the principles of interprofessional education (Ch 6) bridge the gap between theory and practice. These chapters highlight the importance of formal education in fostering effective teamwork, emphasizing that “students must learn in an interprofessional environment” (Ch 8). The book also addresses the need for interprofessional education to occur in real-world settings, a theme that resonates in chapters on clinical training (Ch 9) and continuing education (Ch 10). This emphasis on learning across disciplines is pivotal for addressing the complex needs of palliative care patients and creating cohesive teams.
The latter chapters explore palliative care in specific settings, such as hospitals (Ch 12), critical care and emergency departments (Ch 13), outpatient clinics (Ch 14), and home-based care (Ch 15). Each setting presents unique challenges and opportunities, and the book provides concrete strategies to optimize care delivery. Particularly noteworthy is Chapter 16, which introduces a palliative care philosophy focused on holistic, relationship-centered care—an essential perspective in a field so deeply intertwined with human compassion and empathy.
Intentionally Interprofessional Palliative Care has affected my thinking about practicing in an interprofessional environment. It is both a comprehensive textbook and a practical guide for anyone involved in palliative care. Its commitment to an evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach provides an invaluable resource for professionals across fields. By advocating for a shift from hierarchical to collaborative models, it reflects a progressive and compassionate vision for palliative care, one that prioritizes the well-being of patients, their families, and care teams alike. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of interprofessional palliative care and to contribute to a model that is, as the authors describe, “more than the sum of its parts.”
December 2024
Read more of this week's issue of Pallinews
Palliative Care for Professionals
Report by Alejandra Palma on an effective distance education system for health care professionals in Chile, sparked by the country's universal palliative care mandate.
A Regional Powerhouse
Introduction to PACED's many projects to expand and extend palliative care knowledge among health care professionals.
IAHPC Tidbits
Plus
Two Surveys Underway An international survey of health care professionals is underway to understand how palliative care is provided for patients with heart failure. It is part of the Horizon-EU-funded RAPHAEL project. Those who work with patients with heart failure are invited to take this anonymous, five-minute survey.
An international survey about access to non-pharmacologic interventions for managing children's pain in palliative care, as well as regulatory limitations and barriers to providing quality pain relief to children, is being done by ICPCN and St. Jude's Global Palliative Care Program. Pediatric health care professionals are invited to take this survey, which requires a maximum of 15 minutes.
Like to Speak with Students? Interviews are being arranged in January between volunteers and Master's in Palliative Care students from a variety of health care fields studying in Germany and the Netherlands. Interviews are estimated to last around 30-45 minutes, and palliative care professionals around the globe are being sought as volunteers. If interested, contact [email protected].
IAHPC resources
Always available to all
Global Directory of Educational Programs in Palliative Care, a searchable, continually updated compilation with detailed listings.
Always available to members
Advanced Pain Assessment and Management Course consisting primarily of a discussion of clinical cases.
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