Hospice Team Meetings and Caregivers (Video 2:25 mins.)

Many traditional hospice team meetings do not include caregivers. Much discussion has been generated regarding whether this practice is beneficial or not. Research at the University of North Texas assessed hospice team meetings with and without the presence of caregivers. This was done by videotaping both kinds of meetings. An analysis comparing them had these results:

Team meetings with participating caregivers had

1) better team outcomes.

2) more patient-centered goals.

3) increased discussion of biopsychosocial problems.

4) interdisciplinary care plans occurring more often.

These research findings on hospice team meetings indicate that having caregivers present at hospice team meetings adds significant benefits that can positively impact patient care.

Family caregivers provide almost 80% of caregiving in America. This

video addresses concerns of caregivers with hospice patients.

Frances Shani Parker, Author

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