title: The benefits of expanded physician assistant practice in hospice and palliative medicine.
abstract: Patients with advanced or terminal illness, especially racial and ethnic minorities, would benefit from greater access to hospice and palliative care. Expanding the PA role in these areas would help fill gaps in both access and patients' understanding of what hospice and palliative care can offer. This article describes why hospice and palliative care are needed, what PAs can and do offer hospice and palliative care delivery, and what challenges should be overcome to expand PA practice in hospice and palliative care. The article also reviews the legislative outlook for PA practice in hospice care.
authors: Nathan A. Boucher is a postdoctoral fellow in geriatric research at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, N.C., and a senior fellow at Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development in Durham. Harvey Nix practices at Four Seasons Compassion for Life Hospice and Palliative Care in Flat Rock, N.C. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors: Nathan A
authors: NA
authors: Boucher
authors: Harvey
authors: H
authors: Nix
mesh_terms: D017051:Hospice Care; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D065126:Palliative Medicine; D010823:Physician Assistants; D024382:Professional Role