Center to Advance Palliative Care

Often spiritual care transcends the spoken word and is communicated via presence. Familiarizing yourself with the patients' beliefs and values and needs by interviewing the family or others near to the patient can be helpful. When looking at a patient's needs we must also start with the most basic needs to be able to move toward the emotional and spiritual needs. I would encourage you to work closely with the nurses and physicians to assure that they are aware of the physical needs so that an appropriate plan can be put in place. One of the key successes to palliative care is the collaboration of the different team members. Sharol Herr, RN, MSEd, CHPN; Palliative Nurse Clinician/Education Coordinator; Mt. Carmel Health Palliative Care Leadership Center; Columbus, Ohio.