Availability and Integration of Palliative Care at US Cancer Centers (DRAFT)

Abstract

The aim of this survey study was to characterize the availability and degree of integration of palliative care (PC) services in US cancer centers in 2010. Executives and PC program leaders from 71 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers and a random sample of 71 out of 1,411 non-NCI-designated cancer centers were surveyed. Cancer center executives rated their current pain and PC services favorably and reported a significant improvement in the availability of these services between 2005 and 2010. The availability of PC programs was 98% for NCI and 78% for non-NCI cancer centers. The inpatient consultation teams, outpatient clinics, and PC units were generally larger and served more patients at NCI than at non-NCI centers. This study revealed the existing gap in PC services among US cancer centers and addressed the need to consolidate infrastructure, increase training, improve research, and advocate for public health challenges in the field.