Establishing Relationships With Specialty Palliative Care for More Complex Patient Needs

Abstract

Interdisciplinary palliative care teams can improve quality of life by addressing the needs and experience of the whole person with chronic kidney disease, including physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural, end-of-life, ethical, and practical concerns. Nephrology teams can develop the essential skills to provide primary palliative care for uncomplicated problems, but consultation with a specialty palliative care team is warranted for more severe, complex, or refractory problems. Although specialty palliative care can be delivered in any care setting, it may be a scarce resource outside of a hospital or hospice. Nephrology teams should identify all the specialty palliative care resources available in their community and consider engaging palliative care experts not only in patient care but also in advisory, educational, and quality improvement activities.