Roles for psychologists in end-of-life care: Emerging models of practice

Professional psychologists are increasingly likely to encounter opportunities to work with patients and families facing end-of-life issues. Psychologists can provide psychological assessment, intervention for patients and families, consultation with and support of health care team members, grief therapy, and program development and evaluation. Psychological services are useful for healthy individuals who wish to make thoughtful plans about their own future care, patients with life-limiting illnesses, families stressed by providing end-of-life care, bereaved individuals, and health care providers who face issues of burnout and strain. Several challenges for psychologists working in end-of-life care are noted, including training, development of clear roles, and reimbursement. “My mother is dying from breast cancer. Her oncologist told me that she will probably only live a few more months no matter what he does, but she is continuing her radiation and chemotherapy anyway. I think they both want to keep her hopes up. It’s so awkward not being able to talk with her realistically about her future. The stress of seeing her go through this and doing what I can to take care of her is so depressing. I wonder whether sh