Team approach in palliative care: A Narrative review

The aging population, the rising incidence and prevalence of cancer and other chronic diseases are shifting the focus of medicine from the model of `cure' to one of controlling symptoms, maximizing patient's level of functioning and quality of life, as well as helping patients and families cope with a long-term illness. There is a general assumption that palliative care is best provided by different approaches, and team working styles. Every staff member has to have knowledge about what the organization as a whole can offer, as well as individual competence in his/her own field. Working in teams has become one of the solutions to the failures in the chain of care, cooperation, and the holistic view of the patient. The aim of this thesis was to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge about palliative care teams and the competences and factors that influence the success and functionality of the team.
Thorough search of the English literature was conducted using search engines such as science direct, Scopus, google and PubMed, with words that include: “multidisciplinary team”, interdisciplinary team, team work, cancer.
Introduction of care with multy disciplines was associated with improved survival, care coordination, clear decision-making, patients’ satisfaction and cost efficacy as a great benefit for the patient. Learning and teaching, innovation and problem solving are major benefits of team working for palliative care members. Such barriers include insufficient facilities, time constraint and poor interprofessional relationships.
This study gives a general introduction into palliative care teams and the factors that influence them and their work.