JAMA: Although most cancer centers have palliative care programs, scope of services varies widely
Palliative care services are available at most U.S. cancer centers, although the scope of services offered and the degree of integration between palliative care and oncology care varies widely among centers, according to a study in the March 17 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
David Hui, MD, MSc, of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues conducted a study to determine the availability and degree of integration of palliative care services in U.S. cancer centers.
Between June and October 2009, 71 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers and a random sample of 71 non-NCI cancer centers--of both executives and palliative care clinical program leaders where applicable--were surveyed regarding their palliative care services. A total of 142 and 120 surveys were sent to executives and program leaders, with response rates of 71 percent and 82 percent, respectively.
Although significant progress has been made in cancer treatment, approximately half of all patients with cancer eventually die of their disease, and one-third of cancer deaths happen within six months of diagnosis, according to the article.
"Palliative care outpatient clinics, inpatient consultation teams, palliative care units (PCUs) and hospices all play an integral role providing symptom control, psychosocial support and transition of care for patients with cancer and their families along the cancer care continuum,” the authors wrote. “Based on this understanding, multiple national and international organizations support early incorporation of palliative care into oncology practice."
According to the article, little is known about the current state of palliative care in cancer centers in the U.S. despite this support. "A more thorough picture of the level of palliative care that currently exists in these cancer centers would identify deficiencies and barriers to comprehensive cancer care and allow development of specific strategies to improve care delivery," the authors wrote.
The researchers found that the NCI cancer centers were significantly more likely to have a palliative care program (98 percent vs. 78 percent), at least 1 palliative care physician (92 percent vs. 74 percent), an inpatient palliative care consultation team (92 percent vs. 56 percent) and an outpatient palliative care clinic (59 percent vs. 22 percent). Few centers had an institution-operated hospice (37 percent) or dedicated palliative care beds (23 percent), the study found.
"Our survey revealed that palliative care patients were referred too late in the disease trajectory, a marker of limited access and integration," the authors wrote. According to the article, the median duration from referral to death was seven days for inpatient consultation teams, seven days for PCUs, and 90 days for outpatient clinics.
Cancer center executives, supportive of stronger integration and increasing palliative care resources, cited reasons such as poor reimbursement and limited institutional resources as barriers to delivery of palliative care, according to the article. The researchers also found that research programs, palliative care fellowships and mandatory rotations for oncology fellows were uncommon.
"Although most cancer centers now have a palliative care program, significant gaps and delays in the delivery of care remain,” the authors wrote. “Oncologists, palliative care specialists, executives, and political leaders need to work closely together to ensure access to high-quality palliative care for all patients with cancer in the United States," the authors concluded.
David Hui, MD, MSc, of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues conducted a study to determine the availability and degree of integration of palliative care services in U.S. cancer centers.
Between June and October 2009, 71 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers and a random sample of 71 non-NCI cancer centers--of both executives and palliative care clinical program leaders where applicable--were surveyed regarding their palliative care services. A total of 142 and 120 surveys were sent to executives and program leaders, with response rates of 71 percent and 82 percent, respectively.
Although significant progress has been made in cancer treatment, approximately half of all patients with cancer eventually die of their disease, and one-third of cancer deaths happen within six months of diagnosis, according to the article.
"Palliative care outpatient clinics, inpatient consultation teams, palliative care units (PCUs) and hospices all play an integral role providing symptom control, psychosocial support and transition of care for patients with cancer and their families along the cancer care continuum,” the authors wrote. “Based on this understanding, multiple national and international organizations support early incorporation of palliative care into oncology practice."
According to the article, little is known about the current state of palliative care in cancer centers in the U.S. despite this support. "A more thorough picture of the level of palliative care that currently exists in these cancer centers would identify deficiencies and barriers to comprehensive cancer care and allow development of specific strategies to improve care delivery," the authors wrote.
The researchers found that the NCI cancer centers were significantly more likely to have a palliative care program (98 percent vs. 78 percent), at least 1 palliative care physician (92 percent vs. 74 percent), an inpatient palliative care consultation team (92 percent vs. 56 percent) and an outpatient palliative care clinic (59 percent vs. 22 percent). Few centers had an institution-operated hospice (37 percent) or dedicated palliative care beds (23 percent), the study found.
"Our survey revealed that palliative care patients were referred too late in the disease trajectory, a marker of limited access and integration," the authors wrote. According to the article, the median duration from referral to death was seven days for inpatient consultation teams, seven days for PCUs, and 90 days for outpatient clinics.
Cancer center executives, supportive of stronger integration and increasing palliative care resources, cited reasons such as poor reimbursement and limited institutional resources as barriers to delivery of palliative care, according to the article. The researchers also found that research programs, palliative care fellowships and mandatory rotations for oncology fellows were uncommon.
"Although most cancer centers now have a palliative care program, significant gaps and delays in the delivery of care remain,” the authors wrote. “Oncologists, palliative care specialists, executives, and political leaders need to work closely together to ensure access to high-quality palliative care for all patients with cancer in the United States," the authors concluded.