The inclusion of medical art therapy in two Victorian home-based palliative care services’ interdisciplinary teams

The person facing terminal illness requires the best from their community and its facilities. While medical care remains the primary focus of palliative care, the expansion of whole-person care approaches have resulted in the development of multidisciplinary care teams. In 2003 Victoria's Peninsula Hospice Service set about defining home-based palliative 'medical' art therapy with client's Living at home. Since then, Eastern Palliative Care has had its own success from piloting to establishing palliative care "medical' art therapy. As an innovative model of care, the inclusion of art therapy has enhanced interdisciplinary practice through direct patient care as it occurs in the home.

The approaches outlined in this paper describe home-based palliative care 'medical' art therapy and the unique lens such a therapy offers palliative care clients and their specialist teams. The discussion includes case studies of enhancing interdisciplinary practice and the results of working with individuals, couples and families in their home considering both terminal care and bereavement.

The presentation aims to grant an over view of establishing art therapy in multidisciplinary teams.