February 24, 2025

Ep. 491 The Hospice Team and Whole-Person Care with Barbara Karnes RN

1 hour 4 minutes

Learn about the benefits of team-based care and how the hospice team works together on behalf of patients and families.

This week I’m welcoming my recurring guest Barbara Karnes RN, who is an internationally recognized thought-leader and expert on end-of-life care and the dynamics of dying. We are continuing our series of conversations on various aspects of hospice care and you can find links to previous episodes in the notes below. Today we discuss the importance of a team approach to care on hospice and the roles played by each member of the team. Barbara is the author of numerous books on death, dying, grief and caregiving including “the little blue hospice book,” Gone from My Sight. Check out her books and videos at her website:

bkbooks.com

Watch on YouTube

Listen here:

This episode includes:

Why team-based care is essential at the end of life in order to meet the needs of the whole person and their loved ones

The medical model focuses primarily on physical care but dying is also an emotional and spiritual experience

The members of the hospice team and what they do

How the hospice physician’s role has changed over time

Why creativity in the moment is important for hospice workers

How the hospice team shares information and works together to create a care plan with and for patients

Links mentioned in this episode:

Mountains of Courage Conference – March 29

Previous conversations with Barbara:

483 – The Evolution of Hospice Care

476 – The Dying Process

464 – Nutrition at End of Life

445 – Grief and Bereavement on the Hospice Journey

438 – Choosing the Best Hospice

429 – Debunking Myths About Hospice

420 – Providing Comfort During the Last Days of Life

412 – Dealing with Anger at End of Life

401 – End-of-Life Visions and Other Phenomena

393 – End-of-Life Care for People with Dementia

384 – People Don’t Die Like They Do in the Movies

376 – Creating a Sacred Space

354 – The Hospice Journey

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By Karen Wyatt MD

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