Starting a palliative care program at a cancer center

Abstract

Palliative care is now considered an integral component in the provision of comprehensive cancer care services, from diagnosis to treatment to ultimate recovery or death. High-quality evidence in the setting of both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies suggests that incorporation of palliative care is associated with higher quality care, greater patient and family satisfaction, improved clinician experience, more appropriate healthcare resource utilization, and better patient outcomes, including survival. Strategic investment, staffing, and support for a palliative care program also makes cancer care patient-centric and cost-effective. This chapter provides pragmatic guidance on setting up a palliative care program within a cancer center and discusses strategies and opportunities for early and late planning, launch of the program and its integration within other cancer services, making it sustainable, monitoring outcomes and quality, and using it as a platform for research.