title: Psychosocial aspects in palliative care--communicating with the patient and family.
abstract: The dynamics surrounding the patient and family facing a death as the 'unit of care' is discussed. Aspects of communication, openness within the family, especially concerning children and teenagers, and factors that enable a family to function under the stress of a loved one's terminal illness are explored. The use of a genogram in palliative care to help to piece together the family dynamics and available support is fundamental to the care for the whole family.
authors.affiliation: St Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hockley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003643:Death; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology