Description:
Communication is the foundation of excellent palliative care. Good pain and symptom assessment/management are dependent on excellent communication. It is vital that all members of the interdisciplinary team communicate well with each other, as well as with the patient and his/her family. Communication includes verbal and non-verbal messages. Listening and "bearing witness" are important aspects of communication.

Objectives:

• Define the importance of ongoing communication with the interdisciplinary team, patient and family throughout an end-of-life process.
• Identify three factors that influnece communication in the palliative care setting.
• Identify communication characteristics that patient/families expect of health care professionals.
  

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