Defining Clinical Excellence for Palliative Care Specialists: A Concept Whose Time Has Come. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, David Shih; Mehta, Ambereen K.; Brewer, C. Brandon; Sloan, Danetta; Dy, Sydney Morss; McPherson, Mary Lynn; Dahlin, Constance
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 39:Number 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1377
• Page End: 1382
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: clinical excellence -- core excellence -- palliative care specialists -- competencies -- interprofessional -- quality standards; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/10499091211073968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

Experts in the field of palliative care in the United States (U.S.) have defined competence, or "good, " mainly for programs, trainees, or providers of primary palliative care. Our interprofessional workgroup of palliative care specialists proposes that setting a standard for clinical excellence, or "great, " applicable to palliative care specialists of all professions will elevate the field in the U.S. by providing an aspirational target usable for individual assessment and self-assessment, highlighting the common ground between team roles, and promoting a deeper understanding of teamwork, utilization, and productivity. We call for research that utilizes inclusive methods and broad representation of diverse voices to design a vivid, practical, and evidence-based definition of clinical excellence for palliative care specialists.