title: Clinical support for families in the palliative care phase of hematologic or oncologic illness.
abstract: This article focuses on families' needs for support and care when the patient is receiving palliative care. Health care professionals providing care to patients with hematologic or oncologic illnesses are coming to understand that care for the family must begin at the time of patient's diagnosis and treatment. Families who do not receive adequate information and support in the early phases of the patient's treatment have greater needs, less trust and confidence in the health care system, and cope more poorly in the later stages than families who have been informed and supported throughout the course of the illness. This article documents the needs of families in the palliative phase of a patient's hematologic or oncologic illness and provides empirically based recommendations for assessment and care of the family unit.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Public Health, Edith Cowan University, Churchlands Campus, Pearson Street, Churchlands, Western Australia, 6018, Australia. L.Kristjanson@ecu.edu.au
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kristjanson
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D010819:Physician's Role; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012944:Social Support; D035502:Trust