The role of the physician in hospice

As the concept of hospice has evolved in the United States, it has become apparent that there is a significant need for increased physician participation in all aspects of the care of terminally ill patients provided by hospice programs. Four distinct physician roles have emerged: the attending physician, the consulting physician, the hospice medical director, and the hospice team physician. As the roles of the hospice medical director and team physician have become better defined, many physicians are finding that palliative medicine and full time hospice employment is a rewarding career option. The increased involvement of physicians in all aspects of hospice and palliative care will result in measurable improvement in the quality of patient care that hospice programs provide to terminally ill patients and families.