Psychologists and hospice: Where we are and where we can be

Since the early days of the hospice movement, the role of psychologists in hospice care has been discussed. This study is based on questionnaire responses front hospice programs randomly drawn from those who were members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. The results clearly demonstrate the need for psychology's role in hospice, but there is much to do to clarify and develop this role. Although psychologists have much to offer in the hospice field and end-of-life care in general, this study found that there are not many psychologists actively working in these settings. Suggestions are made for how psychologists can become more involved in the provision of hospice and other end-of-life care.