Palliative and oncologic co-management: symptom management for outpatients with cancer

Purpose Although outpatient palliative care clinics are increasingly common, evidence for their efficacy remains limited. Methods We conducted an observational study at the palliative care clinic of an academic cancer center to assess the association between palliative care co-management and symptoms and quality of life. Two hundred sixty-six adult outpatients were seen for a minimum of two palliative care visits within 120 days. A subset of 142 patients was seen for a third visit within 240 days. Patients completed a questionnaire containing validated symptom, quality of life, and spiritual wellbeing questions at each visit. Results The first follow-up visit was on average 41 days after the initial visit; the second follow-up visit was on average 81 days after the initial visit. Between the initial and first follow-up visits, there was significant improvement in pain ( p