Palliative Care

ASCO and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine (AAHPM) today announced a joint initiative to support delivery of high-quality palliative care in medical oncology. The initiative is funded by ASCO’s first-ever grant from the Agency for Health Care Research Quality. The project aims to address the complex care needs of patients with advanced cancer, including relief or prevention of symptoms – one goal of palliative care in oncology practice.

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ASCO, a member of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC), is co-sponsoring the Coalition’s National Summit on Advanced Illness Care. The Summit brings together medical providers, policy makers, caregivers, insurers, advocates and faith leaders to address issues facing those with advanced illness, including cancer.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a class-wide risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program for extended release and long-acting opioid products.

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A nationwide poll of doctors released today by the National Journal and the Regence Foundation finds physicians near-unanimous in their support for prioritizing end-of-life options such as palliative care. However, the poll revealed notable hesitations about how to handle end-of-life discussions with patients as well as barriers to expanding access to palliative care.

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This month’s Journal of Oncology Practice features a special series of articles on palliative care and end-of-life issues in the oncology practice setting. Articles explore the integration of palliative care services in ambulatory settings; unique delivery mechanisms for palliative care; the impact of public policy and reimbursement on palliative care services; measurement of outcomes and quality measures; and more.

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The newly formed Coalition to Transform Advanced Care is addressing the needs of people with serious, progressive illness, so that they are informed about the care they receive and are in a position to plan for and make the best choices for them and their loved ones.

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The organization C-Change, comprised of over 150 of the nation's health care leaders from government, business and nonprofits, is working to define its unique role in assuring value in cancer care.  Since 1998, C-Change has been both a forum and a catalyst for addressing the major challenges facing the cancer community. A top priority for C-Change this year is to increase the use of palliative and hospice care.

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According to “Relieving Pain in America,” a new report released today by the National Academies' Institute of Medicine (IOM), ov...

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