Medical oncologist perspectives on palliative care reveal physician-centered barriers to early integration

Tim J. Kruser*, Jacqueline M. Kruser, Jeffrey P. Gross, Margaret Moran, Karen Kaiser, Eytan Szmuilowicz, Sheetal M. Kircher

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Early palliative care referral for patients with advanced cancer has demonstrable benefits but is underutilized. We sought to characterize medical oncologists’ perceptions about palliative care referral in their clinical practices. Methods: We conducted 4 focus groups with a national sample of medical oncologists to elicit perspectives about the optimal timing of and barriers to palliative care referral for patients with cancer. We used qualitative content analysis to uncover themes related to early integration of palliative care into standard oncologic practice. Results: Study participants readily acknowledged the evidence supporting early palliative care referral. However, medical oncologists identified patient-centered and physician-centered barriers to widespread adoption of early palliative care. Patient-centered barriers included patients’ and families’ perceptions or misperceptions of the role of palliative care. Additionally, physicians themselves described acting as a barrier to palliative care referral because they were concerned that palliative care physicians may interfere with the plan of care, or offer options that were not endorsed by the medical oncologist. Medical oncologists depicted themselves having authority over the timing of palliative care referral, and as granting limited autonomy to other clinical team members in counseling patients about advanced care planning. Conclusions: Medical oncologists are hesitant to adopt the practice of early palliative care referral because they are concerned that other physicians may disrupt a patient’s treatment plan. Physician-centered barriers may delay integration of palliative care, and future efforts to promote a collaborative approach to advanced care planning may improve patient-centered outcomes through access to early palliative care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2800-2808
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Palliative Medicine
Volume9
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2020

Keywords

  • Focus groups
  • Medical oncologist
  • Palliative care
  • Patient centered

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Medical oncologist perspectives on palliative care reveal physician-centered barriers to early integration'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this