Effect of timing of palliative care on outcomes for patients with advanced cancer

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

The efficacy of integrated oncology and palliative care (PC) are supported by randomized controlled trials; however, optimal timing of initiation of these services has not been evaluated.

In this study, researchers investigated the effect of early versus delayed palliative care on quality of life, symptom impact, mood, 1-year survival, and resource use.

Participants were 207 patients with advanced cancer at a National Cancer Institute cancer center, a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and community outreach clinics, enrolled between October 2010 and March 2013.

They randomly received an in-person PC consultation, structured PC telehealth nurse coaching sessions (once per week for six sessions), and monthly follow-up either early after enrollment or 3 months later.

Patient-reported outcomes and resource use were not statistically different among the early-entry participants; however, their survival 1 year after enrollment was improved compared with those who began PC later.

Further understanding of how palliative care may improve survival remains an important research priority.