A Pilot Trial of Early Specialty Palliative Care for Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Challenges Encountered and Lessons Learned.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer suffer from high morbidity and mortality. Specialty palliative care may improve quality of life.

Objective

Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of early specialty physician-led palliative care for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and their caregivers.

Design

A mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial in which patient-caregiver pairs were randomized (2:1) to receive specialty palliative care, in addition to standard oncology care versus standard oncology care alone.

Setting/subjects

At a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Western Pennsylvania, 30 patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma and their caregivers (N = 30), oncologis

SUBMITTER: Schenker Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5757080 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature