Palliative care and oncology partnerships in real practice.

Abstract

This article addresses the practical application of palliative care (PC) in the outpatient oncology setting. While information on this topic is scarce, data published by a few outpatient practices provide the basis for potential models of integrated care. In general, the perceived impact of integrating PC into standard oncology practice is positive for patients, providers, oncology practices, and the healthcare system as a whole. As the benefits of integrating PC into oncology practice continue to be realized, more data will become available.