The experience of providing hospice care concurrent with cancer treatment in the VA.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Veterans with advanced cancer can receive hospice care concurrently with treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. However, variations exist in concurrent care use across Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers (VAMCs), and overall, concurrent care use is relatively rare. In this qualitative study, we aimed to identify, describe, and explain factors that influence the provision of concurrent cancer care (defined as chemotherapy or radiation treatments provided with hospice) for veterans with terminal cancer.

Methods

From August 2015 to April 2016, we conducted six site visits and interviewed 76 clinicians and staff at six VA sites and their contracted community hospices, including community hospices (n = 16); VA oncology (n = 25); VA palliative care (n = 17); and

SUBMITTER: Haverhals LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6391175 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature