Abstract
Clinical speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may receive referrals to consult with teams serving patients who have a severe and/or terminal disease. Palliative care focuses on the prevention or relief of suffering to maximize quality of life for these patients and their families. This article describes how the role of the SLP in palliative care services contrasts with more traditional impairment-based rehabilitation roles. Consultative services related to communication and swallowing should be informed by and align with overall palliative care goals of the patient, the family, and the team. Case examples illustrate how SLPs interact within an end-of-life care team, highlighting the importance of effective interprofessional communication. Speech-language pathologists are encouraged to consider how they might better integrate speech-language pathology into palliative care services in order to contribute to and learn from palliative care team members. Clinical practice in end-of-life care requires additional knowledge, self-awareness related to beliefs about dying, and level of comfort working with those who are facing severe illness/death and their families.