Palliative care teams are typically interdisciplinary. Which option best reflects the standard team composition?

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Palliative care teams are designed to address medical symptoms, psychosocial needs, and spiritual distress through an interdisciplinary approach. Nurses and physicians collaborate to manage symptoms, adjust treatment plans, and guide medical decision-making. A social worker helps with care coordination, resource access, family support, and addressing emotional and practical concerns of patients and caregivers. A spiritual or religious professional addresses existential questions, helps patients explore meaning and values, and provides support for families facing end-of-life issues. This combination ensures holistic care that goes beyond physical symptoms to support the patient’s and family’s overall well-being.

Radiologists and surgeons aren’t part of the core palliative care team because their roles focus on diagnostic imaging or operative interventions, which are not routinely required in the standard palliative care framework. Pharmacists and dietitians can be involved as needed, but the essential core team typically includes medical providers, nurses, social workers, and spiritual care.