These pages provide access to resources and literature relevant to the practice of palliative care for psychologists.
Role in palliative care
Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, and work with clients and their families across a wide range of areas, including palliative care. Psychologists who work in palliative care are specialists in the cognitive, emotional, social and behavioural factors related to the experience of terminal illness and bereavement issues.
All practicing psychologists are legally required to be registered with the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory, in the same way that medical practitioners must be registered.
The Better Access to Mental Health Initiative provides services from psychologists to clients with an assessed mental disorder. The list of mental disorders includes adjustment disorder, bereavement disorder, as well as anxiety and depression. The Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative: Orientation manual for clinical psychologists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists is available from Australian General Practice Network's website.
The journal ‘Monitor on Psychology’ has an article by Tori deAngelis about the need for more psychologists in end-of-life care.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has a position paper on Euthanasia and the Terminally Ill. This paper discusses the psychological issues relating to euthanasia, focusing on voluntary active euthanasia. The paper does not take a position on the debate, nor does it attempt to cover all the legal issues involved, rather it suggests a variety of ways in which psychologists can be usefully involved in the debate and in terminal care issues.
There are interest groups and networks for those who may wish to know more:
The American Psychological Society has a public document on the role of psychology in end-of-life decisions and quality of care issues.
The Eurpoean Association of Palliative Care has initiated a taskforce to define the role of, and develop an international core curriculum for, psychologists in palliative care.
Palliative care education and training
There are different ways to develop your knowledge and skills in palliative care. Web based learning modules, short courses and specialist palliative care courses and training are offered in many organisations and universities. Further information can be found on the Education pages of CareSearch.
The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) is an initiative under the National Palliative Care Program. It is a supported multidisciplinary course with work placements, offered across the country funded until 2011.
Under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, all registered health practitioners must undertake Continuing Professional Development.
Research
Many health professions may be interested in looking at palliative care research questions in their area of specialty. This may be work that is planned for the future. Any palliative care professional regardless of discipline is able to access the CareSearch Research Data Management System (RDMS), a tool developed to support research in palliative care.
Resources
Books
- Werth JL Jr, Blevins D, Editors. Psychosocial issues near the end of life: A resource for professional care providers. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2006: 258pp.
- Kleespies, Phillip M. Life and death decisions: Psychological and ethical considerations in end-of-life care. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2003: 203pp.
Palliative care links and information
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is the peak national organisation representing the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of quality care at the end-of-life for all. It has produced the following policy documents:
The Department of Health and Ageing website has a palliative care section.
Free Full Text Article
- Muriel AC, Hwang VS, Kornblith A, Greer J, Greenberg DB, Temel J, Schapira L, Pirl W. Management of psychosocial distress by oncologists. Psychiatr Serv. 2009 Aug;60(8):1132-4.
- Haley WE, Larson DG, Kasl-Godley J, Neimeyer RA, kwilosz DM. Roles for psychologists in End-of-Life Care: Emerging models of practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2003 Dec;34(6):626-33.
- deAngelis T. More psychologists needed in end-of-life care. Monitor on Psychology. 2002 Mar;33(3):52.
- Crawford G, Price S. Team working: palliative care as a model of interdisciplinary practice. Med J Aust. 2003 Sep 15;179(6 Suppl):S32-4.
- Street A, Blackford J. Communication issues for the interdisciplinary community palliative care team. J Clin Nurs. 2001 Sep;10(5):643-50.
Related CareSearch pages
What is palliative care?
Clinical practice
Professional and Service Issues
Some of the following PubMed Topic Searches and Systematic Review Collections may be of interest
Finding Evidence