title: Interdisciplinary care: using your team.
abstract: The interdisciplinary approach is a cornerstone of a well-functioning pediatric palliative care team. These teams are most often available as an inpatient consultation service, are composed of professionals representing multiple disciplines, and are used during the illness course of a child with life-threatening and chronic complex conditions, especially during challenging health care decision-making near end of life. This article reviews the current structure of the palliative care team, explores opportunities for inclusion of other vital team members, and proactively identifies the challenges that may occur when involving more providers in a child's and family's care.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Palliative Care Program, Department of Vermont Health Access, State of Vermont, 312 Hurricane Lane, Suite 201, Williston, VT 05495, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogelby
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Advanced Care Team, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: Richard_Goldstein@dfci.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Children and youth with special health care needs; Continuity of care; Interdisciplinary; Medical home; Pediatric palliative care