A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Health Forum found that nearly half of cancer patients with advanced disease received aggressive treatment at the end-of-life, while struggling to access supportive care. Despite efforts to improve quality of end-of-life care in the US, palliative care remains underutilized.
Researchers analyzed data from Medicare claims and found that only one-quarter of patients with advanced cancer received any palliative care during their final six months of life. Those who did receive it mainly accessed it just before death. The study also revealed that 45% of patients experienced aggressive treatment in the last month of life, including multiple hospital visits or delayed hospice enrollment.
However, there was a noticeable increase in hospice use, palliative care access, and advanced care planning over time. This suggests that interventions aimed at improving end-of-life care could be effective in addressing barriers to palliative care.
According to Dr. Robin Yabross, the study highlights the need for better access to palliative care and clear communication between providers and patients about advanced care planning.
Source: https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/clinical-it/learning-health-systems-research/news/55270631/retrospective-study-palliative-care-remains-underused