Filling the Gap: Creating an Outpatient Palliative Care Program in Your Institution

Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2018 May 23:38:111-121. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_200775.

Abstract

Well-designed, randomized trials demonstrate that outpatient palliative care improves symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) while it reduces unnecessary health care use in patients with cancer. Despite the strong evidence of benefit and ASCO recommendations, implementation of outpatient palliative care, especially in community oncology settings, faces considerable hurdles. This article, which is based on published literature and expert opinion, presents practical strategies to help oncologists make a strong clinical and fiscal case for outpatient palliative care. This article outlines key considerations for how to build an outpatient palliative care program in an institution by (1) defining the scope and benefits; (2) identifying strategies to overcome common barriers to integration of outpatient palliative care into cancer care; (3) outlining a business case; (4) describing successful models of outpatient palliative care; and (5) examining important factors in design and operation of a palliative care clinic. The advantages and disadvantages of different delivery models (e.g., embedded vs. independent) and different methods of referral (triggered vs. physician discretion) are reviewed. Strategies to make the case for outpatient palliative care that align with institutional values and/or are supported by local institutional data on cost savings are included.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care* / methods
  • Community Health Planning
  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology* / methods
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Palliative Care* / methods
  • Patient Care Management
  • Quality of Life