Patients and families can still have a limited understanding of palliative care, which may mean they have an open mind toward the suggestion, said Toby C. Campbell, MD, MSCI, associate professor of medicine, hematology-oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Patients and families can still have a limited understanding of palliative care, which may mean they have an open mind toward the suggestion, said Toby C. Campbell, MD, MSCI, associate professor of medicine, hematology-oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and chief of Palliative Care and program director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Training Program.
Transcript (slightly modified)
How early in the cancer care process can palliative care be introduced?
Palliative care, ideally, comes up pretty early actually. We know from the research that the earlier we talk about integrating palliative care into the management of an individual and their family’s cancer care, the better the outcomes are. So when we see improved symptom management, when we see improved adherence to advance care planning and goals of care, when we see people live longer, that’s when we’ve brought it up early.
Early can be at any time that someone has a serious illness to face. It might even be a curable problem, bone marrow transplant, for example, or it might be a metastatic end-of-life issue, but I think really if you want to realize the true benefits of palliative care, you’ve got to give these providers time to work with the patients and families.
Has patient and caregiver understanding of palliative care changed over time?
Patients and families have a pretty limited understanding of palliative care. In general, when surveys have been done, patients and families are neutral on the topic. Generally speaking, the majority of individuals have never heard the term before.
So I think oncologists can rest assured that some patients will have a familiarity with palliative care, but that most will have a very open mind about it or actually may have no concept of what the term means at all, giving the oncologist the opportunity to introduce it in the way that makes the most sense for them. Bringing up strategies such as symptom management or an extra layer of support, can be easy ways to get into a conversation about palliative care.
Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
Listen
Survey Results Reveal Potential Factors Slowing the Decline in Cardiovascular Mortality Rate
April 23rd 2024Research indicated that worsened glycemic, blood pressure, and obesity control, as well as increased alcohol consumption, leveled lipid control, and persistent socioeconomic disparities may have contributed to the decelerated cardiovascular mortality decline in recent years.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Patient-Reported Outcomes Help to Uncover Frailty Patterns in Those With Acute COPD Exacerbations
April 22nd 2024Study findings demonstrate the pivotal role of patient-reported outcomes in identifying frailty among individuals experiencing acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Read More