“What does a psychologist do in palliative care?”

Hi, Thank you for your question. A psychologist would be involved in palliative care for the following reasons: - *Symptom management.* A palliative care plan will include steps to address symptoms and improve comfort and well-being. The care team will answer questions, such as whether pain medicines will affect treatments from the primary health care provider. - *Support and advice.* Palliative care services include support for the many difficult situations and decisions to make when facing a serious illness that may relate to stress, spiritual questions, financial concerns, and may offer guidance or connection with community resources. - *Care techniques that improve comfort and sense of well-being.* These may include breathing techniques, healing touch, meditation, visualization or simply listening to music with headphones. - *Referrals.* Your palliative care specialist may refer to other care providers, for example, specialists in psychiatry, pain medicine or integrative medicine. - *Advance care planning.* A palliative care team member can talk about goals and wishes for the care. This information could then be used to help develop a living will, advance directive and a health care power of attorney. I hope this helps. Best, *Jenna Torres, PsyD* Clinical Psychologist LifeStance Health

Good afternoon

The Role of the Psychologist in Palliative Care in Response to Patients with Cancer. In this scenario, the hospital psychologist, along with the team and their families, is responsible for promoting respect for the patient’s rights to make their own choices, presenting clear data about the disease and its evolution and respecting its limits...

Not much based on experience. Typically, you need to go to an outside provider who specializes in chronic pain and illness.

See this link...
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/11/ce-corner
and
https://ehospice.com/usa_posts/practitioner-psychologists-in-palliative-care-past-present-and-future-directions/

Can help them come to terms with their illness and any other mood issues that might arise during the course.