END-OF-LIFE CANCER CARE
Faculty:
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
L. Austin Fredrickson is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.
Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS
Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) College of Pharmacy, where she is course director of the Parenteral Products and Basic Pharmaceutics Lab courses.
Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS
Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS, is a freelance medical writer and licensed pharmacist. She is the founder and principal at Sardo Solutions in Texas. Pam received her BS from the University of Connecticut and her PharmD from the University of Rhode Island. Pam’s career spans many years in retail, clinics, hospitals, long-term care, Veterans Affairs, and managed health care responsibilities across a broad range of therapeutic classes and disease states.
Abstract
Supportive care is an essential component of comprehensive cancer treatment, aiming to improve the quality of life for patients and their families throughout their cancer journey. By implementing key strategies, healthcare providers can enhance patient comfort, reduce treatment-related complications, and support patients and their families as they navigate the complexities of cancer care. This activity will discuss the principles of supportive care, emphasizing its role in addressing the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of cancer patients. Supportive care models will be described, with a focus on the critical roles of members of the multidisciplinary care team, including physicians and pharmacy personnel. With a deeper understanding of supportive care, healthcare providers can enhance patient comfort, reduce treatment-related complications, and help patients and their families navigate the complexities of cancer care.
Accreditation Statements
In support of improving patient care, RxCe.com LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation CouncilTM for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE®), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC®), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Joint Universal Activity Number: The Joint Accreditation Universal Activity Numbers assigned to this activity are as follows:
Pharmacy Technician: JA4008424-0000-26-108-H01-T
Credits: 2 contact hour(s) (0.2 CEU(s)) of continuing education credit.
Credit Types:
Pharmacy - 2 Credits
Type of Activity: Application
Media: Computer-Based Training (i.e., online courses)
Estimated time to complete activity: 2 contact hour(s) (0.2 CEU(s)), including Course Test and course evaluation
Release Date: June 24, 2026 Expiration Date: October 17, 2027
Target Audience: This educational activity is for Pharmacy Technicians.
How to Earn Credit: From June 24, 2026, through October 17, 2027, participants must:
Read the “learning objectives” and “author and planning team disclosures;”
Take the “Educational Activity Pre-Test;”
Study the section entitled “Educational Activity;” and
Complete the Educational Activity Post-Test and Activity Evaluation. The Educational Activity Post-Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Educational Activity Post-Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
CE and CME Credits: Credits for this course will be uploaded to CPE Monitor® for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Statement of Need
End-of-life care is a critical component of cancer care. Patients and families often report delayed conversations, uncontrolled symptoms, and fragmented support as their condition progresses. Gaps remain in advance care planning, timely support, hospice referrals, and symptom assessment. These gaps can lead to distress or a lower quality of life. Healthcare professionals need practical strategies to identify the core goals for care, including comfort, dignity, symptom relief, and alignment with patient-specific values. Coordinating interdisciplinary care can alleviate distress and improve quality of life. This activity aims to address the need for collaborative care and a comprehensive approach to patient management to assist them and their family near the end of life.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
Identify the core principles and goals of end-of-life care for cancer patients
Describe collaborative comprehensive care plans that address the needs of patients nearing the end of life
Recognize outcomes of end-of-life care interventions and identify opportunities for improvement in practice
Disclosures
The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has any conflicts of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
© RxCe.com LLC 2026: All rights reserved. No reproduction of all or part of any content herein is allowed without the prior, written permission of RxCe.com LLC.
Educational Activity Pre-Test
A collaborative care plan for an end-of-life cancer patient involves which of the following?
Focusing only on chemotherapy management
Coordination between the physician and pharmacist exclusively
Input from the entire interdisciplinary team, including social workers and spiritual care providers
Isolating the patient from family during decision-making
Which option best describes the primary goal of end-of-life care for a patient with advanced cancer?
To prolong life at any cost, even if treatments cause significant suffering
To cure cancer using aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy and surgery
To optimize comfort, dignity, and quality of life based on patient values
To focus on pain relief, lung function, and improving hyperlipidemia
Which intervention has been shown to improve the quality of life in end-of-life care?
Delaying symptom management until the final stages of life
Early palliative care integration
Avoiding family discussions about prognosis
Focusing exclusively on physical symptoms
Educational Activity
End-of-Life Cancer Care
Introduction
End-of-life care for cancer patients is a critical aspect of oncology that requires a compassionate, patient-centered approach to address the multifaceted needs of individuals nearing the end of life. Healthcare professionals should have a solid understanding of the core principles and goals of end-of-life care, including the comprehensive management of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. In this learning activity, participants will review how to develop and implement collaborative care plans tailored to a patient's unique needs. The roles of various care team members, including physicians and pharmacists, in optimizing the quality of end-of-life care will also be discussed. The outcomes of various end-of-life care interventions and opportunities for continuous improvement in practice will be reviewed.
Defining End-of-Life Care
Within palliative care (PC), end of life typically refers to the final weeks or months of a patient's life marked by rapid physical decline due to advanced disease.1 The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) refers to end-of-life care as “care for patients with advanced disease once they have reached a point of rapid physical decline, typically the last few weeks or months before an inevitable death as a natural result of a disease.”1 Importantly, the ESMO emphasizes comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments.1 The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that patients suffering from advanced cancer receive PC services starting early in their disease.2,3 The ESMO and ASCO provide clinical practice guidelines and critical recommendations for end-of-life and PC, respectively, for patients with cancer.1,2
The goal of PC is to enhance the quality of life for patients, as well as their families, who are dealing with cancer.3 It focuses on preventing and relieving suffering by identifying and addressing pain and other physical, emotional, and spiritual issues early on.3 The early integration of supportive care and PC helps manage physical and psychosocial issues while prioritizing symptom relief and patient dignity.1 Effective end-of-life care requires a multidisciplinary team approach, with strong communication between the patient, family, healthcare providers, and nonclinical personnel. Cancer patients in inpatient and outpatient settings should receive care from an interdisciplinary team.3 Each team member brings their specialized expertise and can collaborate to provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the patient’s needs.3
Benefits of Quality End-of-Life Care
Cancer patients must contend with multiple causes of suffering at the end of life.4 These are detailed in Table 1. Symptom burden can be better addressed by improving communication, customizing end-of-life care to the patient’s specific needs, and better coordinating a team-based approach to care.4
Table 1
Causes and Descriptions of Suffering4
| Cause of Suffering | Description |
|---|---|
| Physical Symptoms from Cancer or Treatment Side Effects | Pain, Anorexia/Nausea, Insomnia |
| Physical Functioning | Fatigue/Mobility, ADLs & Self-care |
| Financial Concerns | Cost of treatments |
| Social Concerns | Caregiver support, Family interactions |
| Psychological Concerns | Anxiety & Depression, Cognitive Impairment & Delirium, Coping |
| Spiritual Concerns | Hopes/Fears, Existential issues |
| Bereavement & Legacy Issues | Family Preparedness |
| Care When Imminently Dying | Prolongation of dying, Place of death |
Providing patient- and family-centered care in the context of terminal illness, especially when dealing with high symptom burden and existential distress, is a core aspect of PC.4 The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that all patients with advanced illnesses have access to quality PC to address suffering, guide medical decisions, and facilitate communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers.4 Integrating PC early, preferably at diagnosis, aligns with patient needs and improves quality of life throughout the illness trajectory.4
Numerous studies have shown that early PC integration in oncology significantly improves quality of life, symptom management, and patient satisfaction, and may even confer survival benefits, as seen in patients with metastatic lung cancer receiving concurrent PC and oncology care.4 Other studies have highlighted similar benefits in settings such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and in the ICU, where PC consultations result in better symptom control and reduced use of nonbeneficial treatments.4 Hospice care also improves outcomes for terminally ill patients, enhancing patient quality of life and reducing caregiver depression risk.4
Palliative care has been shown to improve patient and family outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. These benefits have driven the expansion of hospital-based PC programs.4 The earlier PC is initiated during a hospital stay, the greater the cost savings, especially for patients with high comorbidities or those who die during hospitalization.4 Additionally, initiating PC for outpatients has been linked to cost-neutral or lower healthcare expenses without compromising care quality.4
Principles and Goals of End-of-Life Care
Prognostic Factors
Prognostic estimates help identify patient goals and preferences for end-of-life care.1 The key to providing quality end-of-life care is a probable survival estimate; however, physicians often overestimate survival. Key indicators of a shorter prognosis include poor performance status, symptoms like dyspnea or cognitive decline, and lab findings such as elevated C-reactive protein and low albumin.1 These objective findings can assist physicians in making more reasonable estimates. Prognostic models combining clinical predictions with these factors also improve accuracy.1 Tools like the Palliative Performance Scale and Glasgow Prognostic Score help predict survival, with the latter being particularly favored for its simplicity and objective measurements.1
Performance Measures
The Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) program, established by the ASCO, is a voluntary, oncologist-led, practice-based quality improvement initiative to enhance cancer care.5 Launched in 2006, the QOPI enables oncology practices to self-assess and improve their processes through twice-yearly data reporting, focusing on key areas like chemotherapy management and EOL care for cancer patients.5 This program has seen steady participation growth.5 Repeat participants in the end-of-life module have shown higher rates of pain and dyspnea assessment before death, as well as better documentation of hospice and PC discussions.5 There are noted areas for improvement, such as reducing the use of chemotherapy in the last two weeks of life and ensuring earlier hospice referrals.
While QOPI has demonstrated success among early adopters, it remains a voluntary initiative, and further evaluation is needed to assess long-term impacts on care quality, cost reduction, and outcomes.4 ASCO’s QOPI performance measures are detailed in Table 2.5
Table 2
Quality Oncology Practice Initiative’s EOL Quality Outcome Performance Measures5
| Description |
|---|
| Pain |
| Plan for pain |
| Pain assessed before death |
| Pain intensity quantified before death |
| Pain assessed appropriately before death |
| Dyspnea |
| Dyspnea assessed before death |
| Dyspnea addressed before death |
| Dyspnea addressed appropriately before death |
| Hospice |
| Hospice enrollment and enrolled more than 3 days before death |
| Enrolled in hospice |
| Hospice or palliative care is used |
| Hospice within 3 days of death |
| Hospice/palliative care addressed appropriately |
| Hospice within 7 days of death |
| Hospice/palliative care discussed |
| Chemotherapy within the last 2 weeks of life |
Strong Communication
Patients and their families have identified effective communication and shared decision-making as among the most essential factors in end-of-life care.1 Communication is, therefore, a crucial core principle of end-of-life care. The ESMO makes the following recommendations regarding communication as it pertains to end-of-life care1:
Effective communication and shared decision-making are essential at the end of life.
Strategic preparation of the patient and family, respecting personal wishes and beliefs, is critical to reducing adverse bereavement outcomes
One role of the healthcare team is to identify significant individuals within the patient’s life.1 The ESMO states that a patient’s family, defined by the patient and which may include relatives, friends, and others, becomes the central unit of care.1 Patients often prefer to involve family members in end-of-life discussions, and clear, jargon-free communication is essential for making these conversations effective.1 Physicians should address care options, legal matters, and the patient’s preferred place of death with both the patient and their family.1 Recognizing cultural and spiritual beliefs and the unique needs of family members and carers helps improve their preparedness and support during bereavement.1 Additionally, it is important to understand that many patients may not wish to engage in a discussion around death or may not have the capacity to do so.1
Involving families in end-of-life planning through discussions, anticipatory guidance, and clear communication can increase the likelihood that the patient will die in their preferred location and receive care aligned with their values.1 Per the ESMO, tailored information-sharing, professional interpretation services when needed, and question prompt lists help foster family involvement.1 Addressing the emotional needs of families separately from the patient’s, along with recognizing potential bereavement risk factors, supports better outcomes for those coping with loss.1 Care teams may choose to schedule family meetings to explore concerns and assess the level of preparedness for the patient’s death.1
End-of-Life: A Multidisciplinary Approach
A multidisciplinary approach to PC allows healthcare providers to address the diverse needs of patients across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.6 Moreover, research suggests that involving a multidisciplinary team significantly improves patient and caregiver outcomes.6 For example, one study evaluated the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary PC intervention for family caregivers of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.7 Family caregivers in the intervention group received support through interdisciplinary care meetings and four educational sessions addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.7 At 12 weeks, caregivers in the intervention group reported improved social well-being, reduced psychological distress, and less caregiver burden compared to those receiving usual care.7 The study authors concluded that interdisciplinary PC significantly enhances the quality of life and reduces the burden on caregivers.7
Table 3 details the interconnected dimensions of care—Informational, Physical, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual—that are essential in comprehensive patient care, particularly in palliative or end-of-life settings.6 Each section highlights specific factors influencing patients' well-being in each domain.6
Table 3
Interconnected Dimensions of PC6
| Category | Key Areas |
|---|---|
| Informational | Prognosis/illness understanding, Treatment risks and benefits, advanced care plans, Home care |
| Physical | Pain, Fatigue, Dyspnea, Anorexia-cachexia, Nausea, Delirium, Function |
| Emotional | Anxiety, Depression, Coping, Denial, Adjustment disorder |
| Social | Family caregivers, Relationships, Living situation, Financial issues |
| Spiritual | Hope, Meaning, Dignity, Faith & Religion |
The Role of the Primary Care Physician
Primary care providers play key roles and provide crucial benefits for end-of-life care. One study examined the impact of primary care physician care continuity on cancer-specific survival and end-of-life care intensity among Medicare patients with stage III or IV poor-prognosis cancer.8 The analysis, using data from 2001 to 2015, found that patients who saw their PCP within six months of diagnosis had improved cancer-specific survival compared to those without PCP continuity.8 However, PCP continuity did not significantly impact the intensity of end-of-life care.8 These findings suggest that PCP involvement may modestly enhance survival without increasing aggressive care at the end of life.8
A second study explored factors influencing a primary care provider’s ability to care for dying patients.9 Through 16 focus groups involving 28 PCPs and 22 clinical support staff. The researchers identified five key factors: continuity of care to assist with treatment decisions, scheduling flexibility to meet emergent needs, effective information-sharing with other providers, coordinated care to address patient needs promptly, and authority to act on behalf of patients.9 These structural supports were crucial in helping PCPs provide effective end-of-life care.9
Finally, assessing social, emotional, and psychological factors such as mood, anxiety, and depression is crucial in understanding cancer patients' suffering, especially at the end of life.1 Psychological distress is common, with up to 40% of patients experiencing mood disorders.10 Primary care physicians can screen for pre-existing psychiatric conditions early in the cancer diagnosis, as late-stage interventions may be less effective.10
The Role of the Pharmacy Team
Pharmacists in all settings, from community pharmacies to hospitals to long-term care facilities, have an important impact on PC. Pharmacy roles encompass handling medication reviews, deprescribing unnecessary medications, and assisting the team and patient in managing complex treatment regimens.11 Pharmacists can also help navigate drug shortages when they occur and help patients and families manage frequent medication changes during end-of-life care.11 Additionally, pharmacists should recognize the importance of cultural considerations. For example, they can assist in managing medication timing during religious periods.11
Looking specifically at community pharmacy, one scoping review examined the role of community pharmacists in PC, identifying their potential to improve patient care through medication reviews and education for patients and healthcare providers on palliative medicines.12 However, the review highlighted the underutilization of pharmacists in PC, the need for additional training, and better access to patient information.12 The findings suggest that community pharmacists can play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for palliative patients. However, improvements in communication, education, and funding are necessary to fully integrate them into PC models.12
Clinical pharmacists also play a crucial role in PC, ensuring medication therapies align with the patient’s goals and stage of illness.13 These clinical specialists assist the care team by conducting comprehensive medication reviews, focusing on deprescribing unnecessary drugs as needed and adjusting medications and medication doses as the patient’s health declines.13 Clinical pharmacists also assist with pain management by adjusting opioid doses and exploring alternative routes of administration to effectively manage pain and other symptoms, such as nausea, constipation, and dyspnea.13 By analyzing clinical data and patient feedback, pharmacists ensure that pain management strategies are safe and effective.13
Lastly, clinical pharmacists are often involved in health-system policy development, collaborating with pharmacy departments to ensure patients receive appropriate, cost-effective treatments.13 By contributing to deprescribing initiatives and opioid prescribing guidelines, they help shape practices that improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of harm from medications.13 Through these diverse roles, clinical pharmacists significantly enhance the quality of patient care at the end of life.13
A summary of example roles and responsibilities of a palliative inpatient pharmacist is provided in Table 4.13
Table 4
Examples of Role and Responsibilities
of Palliative Care Pharmacists13
| Categories | Details |
|---|---|
| Transition of Care | Coordinate medication management on admission and at discharge Review medication histories in the previous outpatient settings, inpatient settings, and the palliative care unit |
| Medication Reviews | Review high-alert medications Identify adverse drug reactions, screen for drug-drug and drug-food interactions Identify drug indication and potentially inappropriate duplicated drug therapy Drug monitoring as appropriate based on patient-centered goals Identify excessive duration of drug therapy Correct inappropriate dose and dose intervals Conduct medication reconciliation Deprescribing Antibiotic stewardship Anticoagulation monitoring (consider leaving this out as it is generally accepted that AC should be stopped on hospice…) |
| Symptom Management | Assess pain and other symptom levels/evaluate current regimen Assist the team with identifying pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for symptom management Coordination of care between primary and specialist services Initiate new medications Refer to behavior programs (e.g., STAR-VA for dementia patients)* |
| Education | Answer drug information questions Nursing education in-services Supervision/training of rotating pharmacy interns |
| Policy Development | Develop and implement standard operating procedures for medication administration, e.g., subcutaneous medications |
*STAR-VA is an interdisciplinary behavioral approach to managing challenging dementia-related behaviors.
Role of the Pharmacy Technician
As members of the pharmacy team, pharmacy technicians play crucial roles in end-of-life care for cancer patients by assisting pharmacists in preparing, dispensing, and managing chemotherapy and supportive care medications.17 Responsibilities include ensuring accurate medication preparation, managing inventory of drugs, and helping with patient education by providing information on side effect management.17
Additional Team Members
Inpatient nurses provide daily bedside care, administer medications, assess symptoms and physical changes, and provide education. Outpatient nurses may provide home care and may visit daily or weekly. Home care workers provide nonmedical daily assistance, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and assistance with hygiene. Social workers assist with advance care directives, navigate healthcare systems, and often provide counseling for emotional distress. Chaplains provide spiritual support, helping families process beliefs and fears. Team members' proactive discussions with the patient and family, along with regular interdisciplinary meetings, ensure alignment, continuity of care, and awareness of changes in patient status.
Collaborative Care Planning
Implementing comprehensive, collaborative care plans for cancer patients nearing the end of life is essential for addressing the multidimensional needs of these individuals. This requires collaboration among all members of interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, mental health professionals, and spiritual care providers, to develop and implement care plans. Advance care planning (ACP) discussions help ensure that patients' values and goals, including their preferences for the place of death, are respected.14,15 Appropriate ACP has been shown to improve the quality of life and reduce psychological and physical symptoms in patients with advanced cancer; however, it often happens late in the disease process.16 Providers frequently delay these conversations due to concerns about diminishing patients' hope.16 This may result in patients' wishes being unknown until the final stages of their lives and can lead to unnecessary aggressive treatments, higher resource use, decreased quality of life, and increased costs.14
Care teams should focus on timely, targeted care planning, including timely symptom management, longitudinal psychosocial support, and enhanced communication and decision-making.6 By addressing symptoms early, patients may experience fewer crises, optimal symptom control, and enhanced tolerance of cancer treatments, thereby improving their quality of life and ability to pursue aggressive cancer care when needed.6 Longitudinal psychosocial support not only benefits patients emotionally by decreasing anxiety and depression but also ensures spiritual and caregiver support, which can further improve patient outcomes.6 Enhanced communication enables PC teams to build trust, promote end-of-life discussions, and facilitate appropriate decision-making about treatments during the final stages of life.6 These combined efforts lead to improved quality of life, greater patient satisfaction, less aggressive care at the end of life, and potentially prolonged survival.6
Integrating various healthcare professionals and focusing on holistic, patient-centered goals and care plans improves the quality of life for patients nearing the end of life.15 They ensure effective symptom control, support patients and families, and foster a sense of dignity and respect in the final stages of life.
Patient Case
Mrs. Hernandez is a 74-year-old woman with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and chronic kidney disease, who was transferred to the oncology clinic and hospice. Current medications include low-dose opioids, inhalers, and lorazepam as needed for anxiety. Recent notes document uncontrolled dyspnea, caregiver distress, transportation and insurance barriers, and lack of advance directives.
What are the healthcare team opportunities associated with this patient’s case?
The interprofessional team must clarify and document goals of care with the patient and family and optimize symptom control while considering renal dosing and drug interactions. Coordination of home-based palliative nursing and social work is important for addressing social determinants of health and supporting caregivers. The team defines measurable follow-up actions with timelines to evaluate impact on patient-centered outcomes.
What collaborative, comprehensive care plan and measurable metrics should be proposed to optimize patient-centric care?
Summary
End-of-life care for cancer patients is a critical aspect of oncology that requires a compassionate, patient-centered approach to address the multifaceted needs of individuals nearing the end of life. Moreover, research suggests that involving a multidisciplinary team helps address the diverse needs of patients across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. This approach significantly improves patient and caregiver outcomes. This means that healthcare professionals should have a solid understanding of the core principles and goals of end-of-life care. This can be accomplished by healthcare team members developing a collaborative care plan tailored to a patient's unique needs. This can be accomplished through advance care planning discussions. Advance care planning should include the early integration of supportive care and PC to help manage physical and psychosocial issues while prioritizing symptom relief and patient dignity.
References
Crawford GB, Dzierżanowski T, Hauser K, et al. Care of the adult cancer patient at the end of life: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. ESMO Open. 2021;6(4):100225. doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100225
Sanders JJ, Temin S, Ghoshal A, et al. Palliative Care for Patients With Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2024;42(19):2336-2357. doi:10.1200/JCO.24.00542
Franco J, de Souza RN, Lima TM, Moriel P, Visacri MB. Role of clinical pharmacist in the palliative care of adults and elderly patients with cancer: A scoping review. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2022;28(3):664-685. doi:10.1177/10781552211073470
Dalal S, Bruera E. End-of-Life Care Matters: Palliative Cancer Care Results in Better Care and Lower Costs. Oncologist. 2017;22(4):361-368. doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2016-0277
Campion FX, Larson LR, Kadlubek PJ, Earle CC, Neuss MN. Advancing performance measurement in oncology: quality oncology practice initiative participation and quality outcomes. J Oncol Pract. 2011;7(3 Suppl):31s-5s. doi:10.1200/JOP.2011.000313
Hui D, Hannon BL, Zimmermann C, Bruera E. Improving patient and caregiver outcomes in oncology: Team-based, timely, and targeted palliative care. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(5):356-376. doi:10.3322/caac.21490
Sun V, Grant M, Koczywas M, et al. Effectiveness of an interdisciplinary palliative care intervention for family caregivers in lung cancer. Cancer. 2015;121(20):3737-3745. doi:10.1002/cncr.29567
Hung P, Cramer LD, Pollack CE, Gross CP, Wang SY. Primary care physician continuity, survival, and end-of-life care intensity. Health Serv Res. 2022;57(4):853-862. doi:10.1111/1475-6773.13869
Silveira MJ, Forman J. End-of-life care from the perspective of primary care providers. J Gen Intern Med. 2012;27(10):1287-1293. doi:10.1007/s11606-012-2088-3
Mitchell AJ, Chan M, Bhatti H, et al. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder in oncological, haematological, and palliative-care settings: a meta-analysis of 94 interview-based studies. Lancet Oncol. 2011;12(2):160-174. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(11)70002-X
Dooms M. Pharmacists are initiators in palliative care for patients with rare diseases. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2023;18(1):141. Published 2023 Jun 8. doi:10.1186/s13023-023-02765-8
Thrimawithana TR, Spence M, Lee M, et al. The role of pharmacist in community palliative care-a scoping review. Int J Pharm Pract. 2024;32(3):194-200. doi:10.1093/ijpp/riae015
Moody JJ, Poon IO, Braun UK. The Role of an Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Clinical Pharmacist in the Interdisciplinary Team. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2022;39(7):856-864. doi:10.1177/10499091211049401
Goswami P. Advance Care Planning and End-Of-Life Communications: Practical Tips for Oncology Advanced Practitioners. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2021;12(1):89-95. doi:10.6004/jadpro.2021.12.1.7
Ozdemir S, Chaudhry I, Malhotra C, Teo I, Finkelstein EA; Cost of Medical Care of Patients With Advanced Serious Illness in Singapore (COMPASS) Study Group. Goals of Care Among Patients With Advanced Cancer and Their Family Caregivers in the Last Years of Life. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(4):e245866. Published 2024 Apr 1. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.5866
Cohen MG, Althouse AD, Arnold RM, et al. Hope and advance care planning in advanced cancer: Is there a relationship?. Cancer. 2022;128(6):1339-1345. doi:10.1002/cncr.34034
Lo A, Co M, Lo C, Chua D, Soltesz D. Specialized pharmacy oncology technician: experience at the ridge meadows hospital. Can J Hosp Pharm. 2010;63(2):138-141. doi:10.4212/cjhp.v63i2.899
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The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice.
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