Oncology Palliative Care Research Articles

Proposal of a nutrition screening algorithm for patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care: Data from a prospective cohort.

To propose and evaluate the clinical utility of a new nutrition screening algorithm, NutriPal, to detect the degree of nutritional risk in patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care. It is a prospective cohort conducted in an oncology palliative care unit. The NutriPal algorithm was used in a three-step process: (i) administration of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment short form; (ii) calculation of the Glasgow Prognostic Score; and (iii) application of the algorithm to classify patients into four degrees of nutritional risk. The higher the degrees of NutriPal, the worse the nutritional risk, comparing nutritional measures, laboratory data, and overall survival (OS). The study included 451 patients that were classified using the NutriPal. They were allocated to the degrees: 1 (31.26%), 2 (27.49%), 3 (21.73%), and 4 (19.71%). Statistically significant differences were found in most of the nutritional and laboratory parameters and in OS with each increment in the NutriPal degrees, and OS was reduced (log-rank <0.001). In addition, NutriPal was able to predict a 120-day mortality: there was a significantly higher risk of death in the patients classified as degrees 4 (hazard ratio [HR], 3.03; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.18-4.19), 3 (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.46-2.78), and 2 (HR, 1.42; 95% CI; 1.04-1.95) than in those classified as degree 1. It also showed good predictive accuracy (concordance statistic, 0.76). The NutriPal is associated to nutritional and laboratory parameters and can predict survival. It could therefore be incorporated into clinical practice for patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care.

Oncoguía de cuidados paliativos 2023

Palliative care in oncology focuses on improving patients' quality of life with advanced cancer by controlling physical, psychological, and spiritual symptoms during their illness. It can be started as soon as advanced neoplasia is diagnosed, combined with disease-modifying therapies. This approach also includes the accompaniment of the family members by guiding the patient's care and providing psychological support to relatives of patients. The integration of palliative care in oncology must be flexible according to the type of oncological care provided and adapted to the level of care where it is necessary. In these guidelines, we describe the implementation of palliative medicine at Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan). This gradual process began with the care of patients at the end of life. It is being integrated early into advanced cancer care and psychological attention and adapted to the patient's needs as we did during COVID-19. In the INCan model, the palliative cancer team works with the medical oncologist, surgical oncologist, radio-oncologist, and hemato-oncologist at all levels of care. Oncoguía de cuidados paliativos 2023 also incorporates the experiences and recommendations of teams from different hospitals that care for pediatric, young adults, and geriatric cancer patients in the Mexican Health System. Likewise, referral criteria and pharmacological resources are also included. Its objective is to provide an essential guide and contribute to the standardization of criteria.

APPLICATION OF THE NURSING PROCESS IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGICAL PALLIATIVE CARE

Objective: Describe the knowledge of the application of the nursing process in pediatric oncology palliative care; Improve quality of life and positively influence the illness process. Methods: This is a qualitative bibliographic study, which will portray the way in which palliative care for children with cancer is approached. Emphasizing the systematization of nurses in the palliative environment. Results: The databases for theoretical support were: ID ONLINE, EEDIC, ISSN and SCIELO. Prioritizing current articles (2016-2020), using only those that were within the time frame and that had an affinity with the theme. Conclusion: It is concluded, then, that palliative care is extremely important, since they begin to be provided from the first care in the hospital until the hospitalization process.

Predictors of Nurse Practitioner Prescription of Opioids for Cancer Pain: Quantitative Results.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have assumed a greater role in the management of pain related to cancer. Several studies have associated adequate management of cancer pain with improved survival. Opioids are an essential treatment for cancer pain management and thus it is important to understand influences on prescribing these substances. However, due to a lack of previous studies on this topic, little is known about the influences on NP prescription of opioids for patients with pain due to cancer. Competent decision-making is highly correlated with dominant personality characteristics and dominant decision-making styles in everyday life. The rational approach to decision-making has demonstrated superior performance with different daily tasks, including career-related tasks. However, it is unknown whether dominant personality and/or decision-making style impacts the decisions of medical professionals. Using the Diffusion of Innovations theoretical framework, this study evaluated whether dominant personality, dominant decision style, advanced specialty certification, and/or demographic factors influenced oncology NP opioid prescribing proficiency (termed opioid decision score, or ODS) according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines. Other advanced practice providers (APPs) were excluded from the study due to controlled substance prescribing limitations. An internet-based descriptive comparative study was performed evaluating the dominant personality characteristic and dominant decision-making style as a predictor of opioid prescribing among NPs working in oncology. Participants were recruited using lists from the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). A nationwide convenience sample of NPs working with adult oncology patients was evaluated for opioid prescribing according to recommendations in the NCCN Cancer Pain Guidelines. Univariate linear regression revealed a statistically significant increase in the ODS as the Big Five Inventory (BFI) Openness scale score increased (estimate = 0.36, standard error [SE] = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03-0.69). Nurse practitioners reporting advanced specialty certification in oncology and/or hospice or palliative care scored significantly higher on the ODS compared with those with no advanced specialty certification (n = 81, M = 2.86, 2.34, t = -2.75, df = 178, p = .0065). This study provides preliminary findings regarding the decision-making of NPs working with oncology patients and prescribing opioids for cancer pain. Nurse practitioners with a dominant personality characteristic of openness and those reporting an advanced specialty certification in oncology and/or hospice or palliative care were more likely to prescribe opioids for patients with cancer according to NCCN Guidelines. Further investigation is needed to determine additional factors impacting prescribing of controlled sub-stance by NPs and other prescribers.

The perception of people’s occupations under palliative oncology care in view of Wilcock's dimensions of being and doing

Resumo Introdução Ann Allart Wilcock, tendo como foco a ciência da ocupação, idealizou as dimensões ser, fazer, tornar-se e pertencer, relacionando saúde, bem-estar e ocupação. Em sua jornada acadêmica e profissional, buscou apresentar a interdependência das dimensões citadas com a pessoa e a comunidade. Quando uma pessoa sofre uma ruptura parcial ou total em suas ocupações, pode vir a sofrer repercussões biopsicossociais, espirituais e ocupacionais. O câncer ainda é visto como um diagnóstico relativo à morte, contudo, diante da identificação precoce, tratamentos e avanços em pesquisas, é possível promover bem-estar e qualidade de vida. Dentre os tratamentos, os cuidados paliativos possuem como um dos princípios garantir a integralidade nos cuidados, controle e manejo de sintomas, acompanhamento multiprofissional à pessoa, à família, aos cuidadores e à comunidade, do diagnóstico até o processo de luto pós-óbito. Objetivo Compreender as percepções das ocupações de pessoas em cuidados paliativos oncológicos, sob a perspectiva de Wilcock. Método Pesquisa qualitativa, com procedimento de pesquisa–ação, que realizou sete entrevistas semiestruturadas, no período de julho a agosto de 2022, em clínicas de cuidados paliativos. Resultados Os achados se apresentaram nas categorias de ser e fazer, expondo as percepções e relações ocupacionais da pessoa consigo e em seu entorno. Conclusão As relações do ser e fazer nos cotidianos e como o terapeuta ocupacional podem vir a identificar as ocupações prejudicadas por meio das dimensões e dar suporte à pessoa internada. Busca-se estimular novos saberes nas comunidades acadêmicas e profissionais com base no objeto de estudo em ocupação e nos contextos dos terapeutas ocupacionais no cenário nacional, bem como garantir uma prática baseada em evidências.

A percepção das ocupações de pessoas sob cuidados paliativos oncológicos diante das dimensões de ser e fazer de Wilcock

Abstract Introduction Ann Allart Wilcock, focusing on the occupational science, idealized the dimensions of being, doing, becoming and belonging, relating health, well-being, and occupation. In her academic and professional journey, she sought to present the interdependence of the dimensions with the person and community. When a person suffers a partial or total break in their occupations, they may suffer biopsychosocial, spiritual and occupational repercussions. Cancer is still seen as a diagnosis related to death, however, given early identification, treatments, and advances in research, it is possible to promote well-being and quality of life. Among the treatments, palliative care has as one of the principles to guarantee completeness in care, control and management of symptoms, multidisciplinary monitoring of the person, their family, caregivers, and community, from diagnosis to the post-death mourning process. Objective To understand the perceptions of occupations of people in oncological palliative care, from Wilcock's perspective. Method Qualitative research, with an action-research procedure. Seven semi-structured interviews were carried out from July to August 2022, in palliative care clinics. Results The findings were presented in the categories of being and doing, presenting the perceptions and occupational relationships of the person with themselves and their surroundings. Conclusion The relationships between being and doing in everyday life and how occupational therapists can identify impaired occupations through the dimensions and provide support to the hospitalized person. The aim is to stimulate new knowledge in academic and professional communities based on the object of study in occupation and the contexts of occupational therapists in the national scenario, as well as ensuring evidence-based practice.

Transfusion practices in patients with advanced cancer: a retrospective study in a palliative care service.

Anemia is highly prevalent in patients with advanced cancer and adversely affects the quality of life. There are limited data on the frequency, clinical utility, and effectiveness of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and no randomized controlled clinical trials or clinical practice guidelines are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinician practices on RBC transfusion in an oncologic palliative care service and its impact on patients' symptoms, adverse events, and overall survival. This is a retrospective analysis of all patients with advanced cancer who received RBC transfusions admitted for 3 years. Preblood counts, the reason for transfusion, subjective benefit, and objective outcomes were listed. We identified 179 patients who underwent RBC transfusions. The mean age was 67 years, and 60% were male. We found a total of 435 RBC units in 301 transfusion episodes. Asthenia/fatigue was the most frequent symptom (68%). The mean pretransfusion hemoglobin (Hb) was 6.85 g/dL, and 48% of patients had a Hb above 7 g/dL. The symptomatic benefit was achieved in 36% of patients. Adverse events were reported in 4%, with a 30-day survival rate of 57%. A statistically significant association was found between Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) and the symptomatic benefit (P = .005). Hb level pretransfusion, ECOG-PS, and symptomatic benefits with transfusions were significantly associated with survival. This study suggests that patients with advanced cancer with a higher functioning level may benefit more from RBC transfusion. Post-transfusion symptomatic benefits and pretransfusion ECOG-PS and Hb levels are independent predictors of survival. Further studies are needed to develop validated measures of objective functional changes to evaluate transfusions' clinical impact and identify patients most likely to benefit from it.

Building the Nigerian Palliative Care Workforce: An Interdisciplinary Distance Learning Training Program.

Education and capacity building in palliative care are greatly needed in Nigeria. Currently, two institutions integrate palliative care into the undergraduate medical curriculum and no post graduate training exists. A team from the University of Lagos in Nigeria and Northwestern University in the US collaborated to design, implement, and evaluate a 12-hour virtual palliative care training program for Nigerian health professionals. This study investigated the impact of the first session of the training program on healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and confidence in palliative care. The Education in Palliative and End-of-Life (EPEC) curriculum and the Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA) curriculum were used as foundations for the program and adapted for the Nigerian context. Delivered online, the training focused on goals of palliative care, whole patient assessment, communication skills, pain management, psychosocial issues, palliative care in COVID, oncology, and HIV. A mixed-methods evaluation based on Kirkpatrick's evaluation framework was used and data were gathered from surveys and focus groups. Thirty-five health professionals completed the training. The training had a positive impact on knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Confidence in providing end-of-life care increased from 27.3% to 92.9% while confidence in prescribing medication to relieve symptoms at the end of life increased from 42.9% to 92.0%. Performance on multiple-choice knowledge tests increased by 10% (p < 0.01). All participants stated that they would recommend the program to a peer while 96.4% reported the program was relevant to the Nigerian context. Qualitative analysis suggested that the training would help participants provide more holistic care for patients, communicate better, and change how they interacted with families. Topics to be addressed in future training were identified. This virtual training can be an important element in palliative care capacity building in Nigeria and represents a model for global health collaboration.

Family physicians' involvement in palliative cancer care.

Family physicians' (FPs) long-term relationships with their oncology patients position them ideally to provide primary palliative care, yet their involvement is variable. We examined perceptions of FP involvement among outpatients receiving palliative care at a cancer center and identified factors associated with this involvement. Patients with advanced cancer attending an oncology palliative care clinic (OPCC) completed a 25-item survey. Eligible patients had seen an FP within 5 years. Binary multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with (1) having seen an FP for palliative care within 6 months, and (2) having a scheduled/planned FP appointment. Of 258 patients, 35.2% (89/253) had seen an FP for palliative care within the preceding 6 months, and 51.2% (130/254) had a scheduled/planned FP appointment. Shorter travel time to FP (odds ratio [OR]=0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.48-0.93, p=0.02), the FP having a 24-h support service (OR=1.96, 95% CI=1.02-3.76, p=0.04), and a positive perception of FP's care (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01-1.09, p=0.01) were associated with having seen the FP for palliative care. English as a first language (OR=2.90, 95% CI=1.04-8.11, p=0.04) and greater ease contacting FP after hours (OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.08-1.64, p=0.008) were positively associated, and female sex of patient (OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.30-0.87, p=0.01) and travel time to FP (OR=0.66, 95% CI=0.47-0.93, p=0.02) negatively associated with having a scheduled/planned FP appointment. Number of OPCC visits was not associated with either outcome. Most patients had not seen an FP for palliative care. Accessibility, availability, and equity are important factors to consider when planning interventions to encourage and facilitate access to FPs for palliative care.

Using the PDSA Framework to Improve Rates of Clinical Tool Use in Outpatient Oncology Palliative Care Clinics.

The literature indicates that patients with cancer receiving palliative care experience high symptom burden resulting from disease processes and treatment side effects. However, these symptoms may not be sufficiently or consi.

1273P Early integration between oncologic treatment and palliative care: Experience of the simultaneous care outpatient clinic at Veneto Institute of Oncology, ESMO Designated Center

Early palliative care improves symptoms and quality of life for patients (pts) with advanced cancer. At Veneto Institute of Oncology - IOV in Padua (Italy) a simultaneous care outpatient clinic (SCOC) has been active since 2014, in which pts with advanced-stage disease are evaluated by an oncologist with palliative care team. Pts have been referred to the SCOC through a referral form, scored to prioritize pts’ access, since 2018. We prospectively assessed SCOC pts’ characteristics and SCOC outcomes through the internal procedure indicators.

The Supportive Care Clinic: A Novel Model of Embedded Pediatric Palliative Oncology Care.

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) improves quality of life and end-of-life outcomes for children with cancer, but often occurs late in the disease course. The Supportive Care Clinic (SCC) was launched in 2017 to expand outpatient PPC access. To describe the inaugural four years (2017-2021) of an academic, consultative, embedded SCC within pediatric oncology. Descriptive statistics (demographic, disease, treatment, visit, and end-of-life) and change over time were calculated. During the first four years, 248 patients (51.6% male; 58.1% White; 35.5% Black; 13.7% Hispanic/Latino) were seen in SCC, totaling 1,143 clinic visits (median 4, IQR 2,6), including 248 consultations and 895 follow-up visits. Clinic visits grew nearly 300% from year one to four. Primary diagnoses were central nervous system tumor (41.9%), solid tumor (37.5%), and leukemia/lymphoma (17.3%). The first point of PPC contact became SCC (70.6%) for most referred patients. Among the 136 deceased patients (54.8%), 77.9% had a do-not-resuscitate or Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment in place, and 72.8% received hospice care. When known (n=112), 89.3% died in their preferred location. The time from SCC consultation to death increased from 74 to 226 days over the four years (P < 0.0001). The proportion of SCC consultations that occurred greater than 90 days from death increased from 39.1% in year one to 85.0% in year four. Embedded SCC clinics can be successful, achieve steady growth, improve referrals and timing of PPC, and enhance end-of-life care for children with cancer. Large pediatric cancer centers should include SCC outpatient services.

An Evolutionary Concept Analysis of Palliative Care in Oncology Care.

This evolutionary concept analysis reports on the concept of palliative care in oncology. Despite its relevance to oncology, the concept of palliative care remains misunderstood, resulting in erroneous interpretations by nurses and health care providers alike. Consequently, integration of palliative care remains heterogeneous and highly contextual. Findings highlight the complexity and ambiguity of the concept of palliative care in the context of oncology care. The nuances and complexity of when to integrate palliative care for patients living with cancer, as well as its evolution from its origins in the hospice movement, have led to its ambiguity in clinical practice.

Olanzapine in oncology palliative care.

Olanzapine is an effective antipsychotic drug used in psychiatry to treat psychoses, especially schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. It belongs to the 2nd generation antipsychotics, its mechanism of action ranks among multireceptor antagonists (MARTA); it affects the dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, histamine, and muscarinic systems. The broad pharmacodynamic profile of olanzapine provides for a broad indication spectrum with a better adverse effect profile compared to conventional antipsychotics. It can be used in a number of situations to benefit cancer patients in palliative care as well as in the terminal stages of the disease. The review article presents possible indications for olanzapine in oncological palliative care. Apart from dealing with delirium and anxiety, indications for the use of antipsychotics in palliative medicine include the management of nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Olanzapine is an effective antiemetic in cancer patients with tumor-induced nausea and in antiemetic regimens for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Olanzapine is an effective treatment for delirium, as effective as haloperidol, but with a lower toxicity profile. It increases appetite and can be used with advantage in patients with anorexia and weight loss. It is possible to use its anxiolytic and mood-stabilizing effects; in many situations, it can serve well as a co-analgesic, especially in the so-called total pain. It is proven to increase the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. Due to its effect, simple dosage and a good safety profile, olanzapine is a useful drug for the routine clinical practice of an oncologist - a non-psychiatrist.

Referral of patients with cancer to palliative care: Attitudes, practices and work-related experiences among Swedish physicians.

This study aimed to explore the attitudes, practices and work-related experiences among Swedish physicians regarding the referral process, integration and transition between oncology care and palliative care (PC). A cross-sectional online survey was performed with a study-specific questionnaire in 2016-2017 in south-eastern Sweden. Physicians working with cancer patients within surgical specialties, medical specialties and paediatric oncology participated. The vast majority of the 130 participating physicians (99.2%) stated that PC was beneficial for the patient and were positive about early integration of PC (65.5%). Still, only 27.6% of the participants introduced PC at an early stage of non-curable disease. However, paediatric oncologists had a very early introduction of PC in comparison with medical specialties (p = 0.004). Almost 90% of the study population said they wanted to know that the patient had been taken care of by another care facility. Despite the physicians' positive attitude towards early integration and referral to PC, they often acted late in the disease trajectory. This late approach can reduce the patient's opportunity of improving quality of life during severe circumstances. There is a need for in-depth knowledge of the physicians' challenges in order to bridge the gap between intentions and actions.

Palliative oncology and palliative care.

New therapeutic approaches can produce promising results even in severely ill cancer patients. But they also pose new challenges with respect to prognostication, as patients who were once not eligible for treatment, due to age or comorbidities, now are. Palliative oncology constitutes a major part of oncological care, with life prolongation and quality of life as its main goals. Palliative care specialists are experts in symptom control and psychosocial and existential support, and the integration of their expertise early on in patient care can prolong survival. In this article, I discuss the need to integrate specialist palliative care into early cancer treatment plans to achieve quality of life for patients. I also discuss the ways in which palliative care specialists balance the benefits of novel treatments against their adverse effects for patients, particularly for the elderly, the frail and those in advance stages of disease. I highlight the need to ensure equal access to palliative care to improve cancer patients' quality of life but also why futile, burdensome treatments should be avoided especially in the frail, elderly patients. Further, I discuss benefits and problems related to nutritional support in patients with cachexia and exemplify why translational research is needed to link basic research with clinical oncology and effective symptom control.

Delirium in oncological palliative care and clinical cardiology units: A comparative analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of delirium in patients treated in a clinical cardiology unit (CCU) and an oncological palliative care unit (OPCU) at a high-complexity institution. Delirium is a neuropsychiatric syndrome with multicausal etiology, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This was a cross-sectional, analytical observational study. CCU and OPCU patients were evaluated for 480 days. The diagnosis was made according to DSM-V. Sociodemographic characteristics, the Karnofsky index, and the Charlson index were evaluated. Possible etiologies were verified. Severity was assessed with the Delirium Severity Scale (DRS-R98). A total of 1,986 patients were evaluated, 205 were eligible, and 110 were included in the study (CCU: 61, OPCU: 49). Delirium prevalence was 11.35% in the CCU and 9.87% in the OPCU. CCU patients were 12 years older (p < 0.03) and a history of dementia (41 vs. 8.2%; p < 0.001). Organ failure was the most frequent etiology of delirium in the CCU (41.0%), and in the OPCU, the etiologies were neoplasms (28.6%), side effect of medication (22.4%), and infections (2.5%). Differences were found in the clinical characteristics of delirium evaluated by DRS-R98, with the condition being more severe and with a higher frequency of psychotic symptoms in OPCU patients. Delirium was a common condition in hospitalized patients in the CCU and the OPCU. The clinical characteristics were similar in both groups; however, significant differences were found in OPCU patients in terms of age, personal history of dementia, and opioid use, as well as the severity of delirium and a greater association with psychotic symptoms. These findings have implications for the early implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

SY15-4 Asessment of appropriate referral timing to Specialized Palliative Care service based on the survey of bereaved families of cancer patients

There is growing evidence supporting a need to integrate palliative care and oncological care, especially early access to Specialized Palliative Care service (SPC) for patients with advanced cancer. Clinicians need to know appropriate timing for SPC referral based on patient and familiy reported outcomes derived from their experiences through cancer diagnosis, anticancer treatment, and end of life care; however, few studies have investigated the appropriate SPC referral timing based on cancer patients and their families reported outcome.

Trends in palliative care interventions for stage IV esophageal cancer: An analysis of the NCDB.

e24104 Background: Palliative care (PC) addresses patient quality of life and satisfaction with care. Oncological PC can be manifested through surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and pain management. These treatments do not cure disease but improve quality of life. The survival rate for stage IV esophageal cancer is 15-20%, making it an excellent candidate for PC. This study will analyze patterns in who received each type of PC. Methods: This study looked at 8808 patients with stage IV esophageal cancer who received PC interventions from 2004-2018 in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). The NCDB listed 4 types of PC: surgical, radiation, chemotherapy/hormone therapy, and pain management. All modalities were to “alleviate symptoms, but no attempt to diagnose, stage, or treat the primary tumor is made.” Exclusion criteria was concurrent tumors and missing data. Histology subgroups were divided into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other, based on ICD-O-3 coding. Cross tabulation analysis was performed using Pearson chi-square and ANOVA tests. Kaplan Meyer curves with log-rank analysis were used to determine survival probabilities. Results: Of PC interventions, 9.0% were surgical, 42.5% radiation, 41.1% chemotherapy, and 7.4% pain management with no other treatment. From 2004-2018 pain management increased 380% and chemotherapy increased 250%. Radiation increased 32%, and surgical decreased 39%. Surgical patients were more often male (79.9%), white (87.4%), non-Hispanic (97.3%), treated at an academic/research program (39.6%), and have a mean survival of 8.6 months. The most common surgical interventions were photodynamic therapy and esophagectomy with partial gastrectomy. Radiation patients more often male (82.3%), white (83.9%), non-Hispanic (96.5%), treated at a comprehensive community cancer center (39.7%), and have a mean survival of 9.1 months. Most common phase I radiation treatments were external beams (photons) and external beams NOS. Chemotherapy patients were more likely to be male (84.5%), white (88.2%), non-Hispanic (96.8%), treated at a comprehensive community cancer program (39.4%), and have a mean survival of 13.9 months. Chemotherapy patients most often received multiagent chemotherapy and single agent chemotherapy. Pain management patients were more often male (80.2%), white (88.0%), non-Hispanic (96.5%), treated at an academic/research program (38.8%), and have a mean survival of 4.1 months. Chemotherapy patients had average age of 62, while all other interventions had an average age of 65 (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Major differences between subtypes of PC interventions included location of treatment, average age at diagnosis, and mean survival. Chemotherapy patients were diagnosed younger and had a longer mean survival time. Pain management patients had the lowest mean survival time. This data can be utilized as PC utilization increases in the United States.

Impact of personalized care discussions on advance care planning.

e18619 Background: Advanced Care Planning (ACP) involves learning about decisions that may need to be made during care so they are known to family and providers. ACP has been associated with less aggressive medical care near death and improved quality of life.However, despite evidence for their benefit, ACP is inconsistent among patients with advanced cancer. At our institution, only 52% of patients with cancer undergoing palliative intent treatment had an ACP at the time of death. We sought to increase ACP through a quality improvement project intended to proactively identify and introduce patients to Personalized Care Discussions (PCDs). PCDs engage oncology patients and palliative care providers in ACP to articulate goals of care. Methods: A team of palliative care providers, medical oncologists, and administrative staff designed each phase of the intervention. Inclusion criteria to proactively identify patients eligible for a PCD were created along with a workflow to introduce PCDs and schedule a PCD appointment. A plan-do-study-act (PDSA) model was used to test impact of change to the PCD referral workflow and patient inclusion criteria. Each PDSA cycle lasted between 4 and 9 weeks between 6/1/2021 and 1/31/2022. PDSA 1: Oncologist referral to PCD for new patients. PDSA 2: Oncologist referral to PCD for Stage IV patients. PDSA 3: Automatic referral to PCD of Stage IV patients. PDSA 4: Pancreatic patients, any stage, added to PDSA 3 criteria. Results: During the measurement period, 68 patients completed a PCD. While changes to the inclusion criteria throughout PDSA cycles resulted in more total unique patients completing PCDs, the completion rate of eligible patients did not vary significantly across cycles. However, the proportion of patients completing PCDs for oncologists engaged in the project increased during the eight-month QI period (92%) from the previous eight-month period (86%). Conclusions: This project sought to identify and introduce patients to PCDs to improve ACP. We found that access to PCDs was not sufficient to increase completion of PCDs, since fewer than half completed the appointment. However, 68 patients who otherwise may not have completed a PCD did so because of this intervention. Misperceptions of palliative care may contribute to high cancellation rates of PCD appointments. This pattern is seen in the overall low completion rate of palliative care appointments (56% in same timeframe). Informal patient feedback often indicated a preference for care discussions to be with the primary oncologist, whereas our intervention introduced a new provider. These results demonstrate that a trigger to identify patients for PCDs without primary oncologist engagement falls short. Continued focus is needed to determine a proactive approach to identify patients who will benefit most from PCDs to complete ACP proactively.[Table: see text]