Hospice consultation team: a new multidisciplinary model.

The term "hospice" refers not only to certain facilities, but also to a philosophy of comprehensive, humanistic treatment for the patient and his family. Because death will always be a part of the general hospital setting, hospice concepts provide a useful method for improved patient care. This paper describes the development of a multidisciplinary team that provides consultation-liaison services for terminally ill patients and their families, either while in hospital or while being followed in a home-care treatment service. Cases are presented that illustrate the benefits of such an approach to the care of the dying patient and his family.