Understanding Palliative Care in Cancer Patients: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

Palliative care plays a crucial role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients diagnosed with cancer, especially those with advanced illnesses. Early integration of specialized palliative care is considered the standard approach; however, many patients with advanced cancers do not receive these services consistently, particularly in the initial stages of their disease.

Research led by Isaac Chua, MD, MPH from Brigham and Women's Hospital, has investigated how recent healthcare trends influence the use of specialty palliative care among Medicare decedents with poor-prognosis cancers. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study examined data from 2018 to 2023 and highlighted key shifts in care delivery.

The study found that although only a minority of patients received specialty palliative care in the year before death, there was a notable increase in outpatient palliative care visits, nearly doubling over the years studied. This growth was primarily driven by advanced practice clinicians, who have increasingly become the main providers in outpatient settings, surpassing physicians.

Telehealth emerged as a significant modality within outpatient palliative care, constituting a substantial portion of visits and demonstrating its value in reaching patients who may face barriers to in-person care. Despite these advancements, disparities persisted; older adults, those with lower incomes, and individuals living in nonmetropolitan areas remained less likely to access these services.

The findings suggest that while healthcare innovations like telehealth and workforce expansion via advanced practice clinicians have improved service availability, they are not sufficient alone to eliminate disparities. Tailored policy interventions and systemic approaches are necessary to address specific barriers faced by vulnerable populations.

Moreover, the consistent use of telehealth indicates its potential as an effective means of delivering palliative care, especially for patients with limited mobility or those in remote locations. However, overall utilization remains low, emphasizing the need for further strategies to promote equitable access.

Understanding and addressing the persistent gaps in palliative care access are crucial for ensuring that all patients with poor-prognosis cancers receive comprehensive supportive care. Continued research and targeted interventions are essential to optimize palliative care delivery and improve patient outcomes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-insights-palliative-patients-cancer.html