In a groundbreaking study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago, researchers have found that virtual palliative care can be just as effective as in-person care for patients with advanced cancer. This finding opens up new possibilities for improving access to essential supportive care for cancer patients and their families.
Palliative care, often misunderstood as end-of-life care, actually focuses on improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses at any stage. It addresses symptom management, emotional and functional wellbeing, and even spiritual concerns. Previous research has shown that early integration of palliative care can lead to improved survival rates for cancer patients.
The study, led by Joseph Greer, a psychologist at Mass General Hospital Cancer Center, involved 1,250 patients with advanced lung cancer. Half received palliative care virtually, while the other half attended in-person monthly visits. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms, coping skills, or understanding of their cancer prognosis and treatments.
This research comes at a crucial time when the demand for palliative care outstrips the supply of specialists. Dr. Thomas Smith, a medical oncologist and palliative care specialist at Johns Hopkins, who was not involved in the study, highlighted the potential for virtual care to increase efficiency, allowing providers to see more patients without increasing the number of healthcare professionals.
Virtual palliative care offers several advantages:
- Convenience for patients who can receive care from the comfort of their homes
- Easier inclusion of family members or caregivers in appointments
- Increased accessibility for patients who may feel too unwell to travel
- Improved efficiency for healthcare providers
As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic healthcare landscape, these findings provide strong support for the continued use and potential expansion of telehealth in palliative care. By embracing virtual options, we can hope to extend the reach of this vital service to more patients in need, ultimately improving the quality of life and care for those facing serious illnesses.
Citation: Chen, A. (2024, June 2). Palliative care for cancer patients is found to be as effective given virtually as in person. STAT. [Article used as reference]
