This article provides an overview of the international literature on occupational stress in hospice/palliative care, tracing it from evolution to the present day. It concludes that the stress that exists in palliative care is due in large measure to organizational & societal issues, although personal variables were also found to have an influence. The Appendix summaraizes the findings of 25 research studies under 5 categories. Suggestions are given for future research. (98 Refs.)