ABSTRACT
A high degree of coordination and collaboration with unit staff and other services is necessary in order to assure that all aspects of the patient's needs influence the plans for comprehensive treatment. Terminal patients and families will be referred by self, social workers, unit physicians, nurses or any significant others such as friends and relatives. Patients should be referred as soon as possible after diagnoses to allow opportunity and sufficient time to benefit from the program. Program goals should be appropriately and clearly explained to patients and their families who are referred to the program. Terminal care involves working with the elderly, middle-aged, young, alert, or confused patient as well as others who are comatose or acutely ill. The major barriers to effective terminal care are our attitudes and beliefs. Fear and myths about death and dying are part of the attitudes that inhibit our ability to enter the world of the dying person as he is experiencing it.
