Oncologist factors that influence referrals to subspecialty palliative care clinics.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Recent research and professional guidelines support expanded use of outpatient subspecialty palliative care in oncology, but provider referral practices vary widely. We sought to explore oncologist factors that influence referrals to outpatient palliative care.

Methods

Multisite, qualitative interview study at three academic cancer centers in the United States with well-established palliative care clinics. Seventy-four medical oncologists participated in semistructured interviews between February and October 2012. The interview guide asked about experiences and decision making regarding outpatient palliative care use. A multidisciplinary team analyzed interview transcripts using constant comparative methods to inductively develop and refine themes related to palliati

SUBMITTER: Schenker Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3948709 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature