module 4 | Activity 8: Role of allied health professionals in supporting function

People with life-limiting illness have diverse needs that change over time. Where care is provided and who is involved in a person’s care changes in response to these needs. Many different health professionals work together to support the person with a life-limiting illness and their family. Multidisciplinary teams are common.[1]

Allied health professionals are an essential component of the palliative care team as they bring a broad range of interventions, knowledge and experience to improve the quality of life for people with life-limiting illnesses.[2] Allied health professionals have skills in assessment and interventions to improve the comfort, function and safety of the person and their family throughout their palliative care journey.[3] Allied health professionals also play a key role in holistic problem solving and adapting traditional therapies and interventions to the person’s changing function.[4]

Allied health professionals contribute to the palliative care team in a range of ways: [1, 2-4]

Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander health worker / practitioner	Provides support, comfort and assistance to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who are receiving palliative care, and help improve communication.
Arts / Music Therapist	Use music, visual art-making, drama, dance and movement to improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
Bereavement Counsellor	Provides specialist counselling services to support people who are grieving and those who are working with bereaved individuals and families.
Chiropractor	Provides treatment for back pain and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system
Dietitian	Optimise nutritional intake, develop nutrition plan focused on the person’s needs and wishes
Diversional Therapist	Designs and facilitates leisure and recreation programs to support the psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals.
Exercise Physiologist	Plans and prescribes exercises, offers health education and lifestyle modifications that can help people manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Medical Radiation Practitioner	Provide diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy to assist with treatment and symptom management
Occupational Therapist	Support continued or adjusted participation in valued and essential everyday activities
Paramedics	Works with other healthcare professionals to provide planned or unplanned support and medical assistance for those with palliative care needs in the pre-hospital or community context. Some services have specialist community and/or palliative care paramedics.
Pharmacist	Provides timely access to medications, assessment of medication plans and engagement with the palliative care team regarding ongoing management of symptoms.
Physiotherapist	Maximise functional independence and help to provide relief from symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue
Play Therapist	Supports provision of paediatric palliative care by using play to support communication, provide distraction and enhance the wellbeing of children and their families.
Psychologists	Provide expert psychological assessments and interventions to effectively address often complex psychological issues
Social Worker	Provides assessments and interventions to effectively address often complex emotional, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs for the person and family.
Speech Pathologist	Develop strategies to support communication and swallowing, and provides education and support in adjusting to the consequences of the illness
Spiritual Care Practitioner	Supports the person and their family in talking about spiritual matters and reflects with the person about their life and its purpose or meaning.
Traditional Healers	Traditional healers, also called Ngangkari (Central Australia) or Maparn (Kimberley region) may be involved in the care of some Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, particularly at the end-of-life.[5]

Rehabilitative palliative care is an interdisciplinary holistic model of care which integrates rehabilitation, enablement, self-management and self-care. The aim of rehabilitative palliative care is to optimise function and wellbeing, by empowering the person with a life-limiting illness and enabling them to live as independently and completely as possible, with choice and autonomy, as their illness progresses.[6]

Learn more about a multidisciplinary approach to palliative care in our Focus Topic 1 resource.

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Case Study

The occupational therapist visits Bob to assess his situation. The therapist explores how Bob’s illness has affected his day-to-day functioning. Bob speaks to the occupational therapist about his physical and social function. Bob identifies the following problems:

• Decreased mobility
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty maintaining social contact.