title: Understanding the complex role of a hospice spiritual counselor.
abstract: Hospice's professional roles in end-of-life care can be widely misunderstood by physicians, patients, and family members as well as others who do not work directly with them. The role of the spiritual counselor may be the most misunderstood due to the nature of this professional title. Hospice care at the end of life is holistic in that it is important to meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and their family. In order to provide the most complete and beneficial end-of-life care, it is important to understand the complexity and the importance of the role of the spiritual counselor.
authors.affiliation: 1McLean Hospice, Simsbury, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Bonnie S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lillis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000379:methods*; D024382:Professional Role; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology
keywords: connection; end of life; hospice; meaning; purpose; spiritual counselor