Deborah J. Ross (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deborahjross) wrote2010-08-31 02:45 pm
deborahjross) wrote2010-08-31 02:45 pm
Palliative care and quality of life
An article from New England Journal of Medicine concludes that:
Among patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer, early palliative care led to significant improvements in both quality of life and mood. As compared with patients receiving standard care, patients receiving early palliative care had less aggressive care at the end of life but longer survival.
Early introduction of palliative care also led to less aggressive end-of-life care, including reduced chemotherapy and longer hospice care. Given the trends toward aggressive and costly care near the end of life among patients with cancer, timely introduction of palliative care may serve to mitigate unnecessary and burdensome personal and societal costs.
Among patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer, early palliative care led to significant improvements in both quality of life and mood. As compared with patients receiving standard care, patients receiving early palliative care had less aggressive care at the end of life but longer survival.
Early introduction of palliative care also led to less aggressive end-of-life care, including reduced chemotherapy and longer hospice care. Given the trends toward aggressive and costly care near the end of life among patients with cancer, timely introduction of palliative care may serve to mitigate unnecessary and burdensome personal and societal costs.