Specialty palliative care is provided with a core interdisciplinary team that may consist of a physician, advanced practice practitioner, registered nurse, social worker, pharmacists and chaplain, all who can have special certification in palliative care and hospice care. It is recommended that the physician has completed a fellowship in palliative care and/or is board certified in hospice and palliative care. The specialty team works alongside the patient’s other health professionals. They specialize in complex symptom management and difficult discussions about code state, goals of care or transitions to hospice care, and/or challenging patient/family dynamics¹.

If a patient has been referred to specialty palliative care, they generally need the support of an interdisciplinary team due to complex issues.  Some of the complexities one may see may include:

• Symptoms: Difficult to treat symptoms including but not limited to treatment of pain; nausea; vomiting; anxiety; depression; constipation; shortness of breath; loss of appetite; fatigue; sleep issues.
• Difficult Discussions: Complex medical decisions; conflict between parties.
• Other: Psychosocially Complex Patients; Ethical, Legal, Compliance or Risk Issues

How to Make a Referral to Specialty Palliative Care:

Use this link to find Specialty Palliative Care Practices/Providers in South Dakota. You will find a map of locations along with a directory of programs, staff and contact information.

Reference

1. UpToDate; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/primary-palliative-care accessed 6/10/2024