
End-of-Life University Ep. 491 The Hospice Team and Whole-Person Care with Barbara Karnes RN
Learn about the benefits of team-based care and how the hospice team works together on behalf of patients and families.

This week I’m welcoming my recurring guest Barbara Karnes RN, who is an internationally recognized thought-leader and expert on end-of-life care and the dynamics of dying. We are continuing our series of conversations on various aspects of hospice care and you can find links to previous episodes in the notes below. Today we discuss the importance of a team approach to care on hospice and the roles played by each member of the team. Barbara is the author of numerous books on death, dying, grief and caregiving including “the little blue hospice book,” Gone from My Sight. Check out her books and videos at her website:
This episode includes:
- Why team-based care is essential at the end of life in order to meet the needs of the whole person and their loved ones
- The medical model focuses primarily on physical care but dying is also an emotional and spiritual experience
- The members of the hospice team and what they do
- How the hospice physician’s role has changed over time
- Why creativity in the moment is important for hospice workers
- How the hospice team shares information and works together to create a care plan with and for patients
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Mountains of Courage Conference – March 29
- Previous conversations with Barbara:
- 483 – The Evolution of Hospice Care
- 476 – The Dying Process
- 464 – Nutrition at End of Life
- 445 – Grief and Bereavement on the Hospice Journey
- 438 – Choosing the Best Hospice
- 429 – Debunking Myths About Hospice
- 420 – Providing Comfort During the Last Days of Life
- 412 – Dealing with Anger at End of Life
- 401 – End-of-Life Visions and Other Phenomena
- 393 – End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia
- 384 – People Don’t Die Like They Do in the Movies
- 376 – Creating a Sacred Space
- 354 – The Hospice Journey
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