There is an increased demand for psychologists experienced in palliative care as currently there are too few experienced. The alternative strategy is to refer patients to access mental health services, however health professionals in such services may not be adequately trained in this speciality and the stigma associated with such services may deter access for help.

 

Role of the psychologist overlaps with many other health professionals and this includes:

•  Multidisciplinary work with other professionals

 

• Reinforcing psycholgical interventions conducted by other health professionals

 

• Providing psychological treatment to patients who have difficulty accepting diagnosis, anxious, feeling hopeless or temper issues. This may involve treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) to challenge and modify incorrect  thoughts which produces changes in the behaviour.

 

• Assessment of the mental state of patients and the need for psychological interventions.

 

• Educating other health professionals on the muti disciplinary team as changes in research develops

 

• Advising other health professionals on psychological care of patients especially in the the terminal stage where familiar faces reassures patients and new addition of faces on the team may cause anxiety.

 

• Psychologists may undertake research and particpate in audits.