Abstract

Palliative care requires effective interdisciplinary teamwork to ensure effective holistic management of a patient in the long term. We determined that the thirteen principles for palliative care remain fundamentally consistent across disciplines. To ensure that the principles are adhered to it is important that a holistic approach is used where all stakeholders are represented in the decision-making process, and treatment is coordinated. Failure to establish effective communication and often be attributed to cultural and status barriers, and may lead to care deficits, such as delays in treatment. Effective communication between stakeholders can avoid treatment lapses, ethical dilemmas for care givers, and conflicts in treatments regimens as the patients care status changes with the illness progression.

Keywords: Palliative Care; Health Care; Holistic Care

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