Prognosis, Treatment Benefit and Goals of Care: What do Oncologists Discuss with Patients who have Incurable Cancer?

Seven Shades of Black Thoughts: COVID-19 and Its Psychological Consequences on Cancer Patients

“…We are well aware that no instrument or tool can substitute interpersonal relationships and the closeness and affection of loved ones. Nonetheless, there is much room for improving patients' emotive health while minimizing the impact on therapeutic outcomes (1,14). Online and telematics services have been tested and shown to be effective in providing psychological and mental health assistance (15,16).…”

Early Integration of Palliative Care into Standard Oncology Care: Evidence and Overcoming Barriers to Implementation

“…For example, a recent study at Queen's University underscored the challenges facing oncologists wanting to have discussions about goals of care in the midst of busy oncology clinics: In a sample of 222 advanced lung and pancreatic cancer patients, only 4% had documentation of a goals-ofcare discussion by oncologists in their outpatient record, and only 41% ever received a palliative referral 10 . Those findings are demonstrative of the need to examine ways in which palliative care consultation can be better integrated into oncology care not only earlier, but also more systematically in the course of disease, so as to bring the benefits of this intervention to all patients.…”

Toward Improved Goals-Of-Care Documentation in Advanced Cancer: Report on the Development of a Quality Improvement Initiative

“…We recently reported initial results of a descriptive study to evaluate physician documentation of discussions related to prognosis and goc in patients with terminal lung or pancreatic cancer 14 . In a cohort of 222 patients receiving palliative chemotherapy for advanced lung or pancreatic cancer, initial results were concerning: Only 4% of patients with a life expectancy of less than 1 year had documentation of a care plan in the event of an acute deterioration, and only 39% had been referred to palliative care.…”