THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGIST IN PALLIATIVE CARE: A REVIEW STUDY

In recent decades, the concept of palliative care is considered as a multidisciplinary approach which has been specified based on the nature and type of its target patients and their psychological needs. Assessment of these needs and attention to them are among psychologist's tasks that involve many challenges including the ambiguity of roles and educational and research needs. This review article aimed to investigate their specialized skills in assessment, intervention and research, and explore the theoretical and practical aspects of this field in palliative care setting. In the present review article, data base searching method was applied using the key words of palliative, psychologist, advanced cancer, end of life, hospice, terminally ill, chronic illness, bereavement and grief. PubMed, Elsvier, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest databases were searched and eligible articles published between 1997 and 2017 were retained Psychologists at palliative care team are involved in various stages of the disease. Communication and assessment are presented as the first steps of their services and then specific counseling and psychotherapy are provided for any psychological disorder and problem of patients. These psychologists will continue their services to the family of patients at the time of hospitalization until the stages of loss and mourning. The support and care of members of the palliative care team and participation in research projects are among other tasks of them. Conclusion Due to the multiple functions of psychologists in the palliative care team and the widespread provision of services from patients to their families and members of the palliative care team, it is essential to acquire specialized skills and continuing training for them.