The interdisciplinary bereavement team: defining and directing appropriate bereavement care

Hospice bereavement care often occurs in relative isolation from other program components; staff and volunteers are without the guidance, consultation and support provided through the interdisciplinary team that is enjoyed by personnel working in patient care areas. This article promotes a similar interdisciplinary team concept that has been successfully employed in one of the country's largest bereavement programs. Comprised of bereavement program staff, consultants from the patient care program, professional and lay volunteers, this interdisciplinary team defines and directs interventions provided by the bereavement care program.