Abstract

Inpatient palliative care consultation teams (PCCTs) provide supportive care to individuals with chronic, life-limiting illness and their families. However, the clinical effectiveness of the PCCT may be affected by the quality of their collaboration with other providers. The purpose of this two-part study was to describe the efforts of inpatient PCCTs in order to (1) determine whether their expertise is maximized by other providers and (2) identify factors that may hinder or facilitate their successful collaboration with other providers. Descriptive analyses of retrospective chart review data (N = 120 charts) suggest that the majority of PCCT recommendations to other providers focus on pain and symptom management, and the actions of PCCTs themselves capitalize on their expertise in communication. Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with PCCT (n = 17) and non-PCCT (n = 27) providers suggests that the PCCT employs a wide set of skills but that providers prioritize their help differently based on their professional needs. Providers described ways in which the PCCT already facilitates collaboration and suggested mechanisms to address barriers to collaboration. PCCTs may consider techniques like structured educational interventions, increasing their visibility around the hospital, and promoting the utility of palliative care across disciplines in order to engage in more meaningful collaboration with other providers.

Committee Chair

Brian D. Carpenter

Committee Members

Thomas Rodebaugh, Denise Head

Comments

Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7JS9PWG

Degree

Master of Arts (AM/MA)

Author's Department

Psychology

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 4-17-2018

Language

English (en)

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Psychology Commons

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