title: What physicians should know about hospice.
abstract: Hospice is both a philosophy and a system of care that attends to the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients at the end of life as well as family members. The author details hospice care as it exists in the United States, focusing on topics such as levels of care provided and by whom, Medicare coverage, the roles of physicians and other practitioners, and special issues in hospice care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Medicine, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Vogel