VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ
George A. Dawson, Alice V. Cheuk, Shruti Jolly, Ruchika Gutt, Drew Moghanaki, Helen Fosmire, Stephen T. Lutz, Michael Philip Hagan, Mitchell Steven Anscher, Lori Hoffman-Hogg, Maria D. Kelly
Background: Palliative care services enhance quality of life in patients with advanced malignancies and are an integral component of multidisciplinary cancer care. They provide symptom control and psychosocial support for patients and family members. A survey in non-VHA cancer centers showed that despite availability of palliative care programs, there was wide variability in the use of these services (Hui et al, JAMA 2010). Palliative care services are a component of the VHA medical benefits package. We sought to determine the ease of access to palliative care services and provider satisfaction among VHA Radiation Oncologists. Methods: VHA-based Radiation Oncologists were identified using the National VHA Radiation Oncology list serve group. All practicing Radiation Oncologists were surveyed to determine the extent of Palliative Care Services available to them and to measure their level of satisfaction with these services. Eighty two surveys were electronically mailed to practitioners at the 38 active VHA Radiation Oncology sites, followed by a reminder phone call.This survey was conducted over a four week period in May of 2014. Results: Sixty four of the 82 surveys distributed over the 4 week period, or 78% were completed. They represent 89% (34/38) of VHA Radiation Oncology Services. All respondents had Palliative Care Services available to them and 98% were happy with the services rendered by the Palliative Care teams. Conclusions: All VHA-based Radiation Oncologists who responded to this survey have access to local VHA based Palliative Care Services. This represented 82% of VHA Radiation Oncology practitioners and 98% were satisfied with the services rendered. Further studies should explore the scope and extent of palliative care involvement including when these services are integrated into the management of patients with advanced malignancies, availability of outpatient palliative care services and variations in care delivery. Radiation therapy is utilized in over 50% of patients with malignancy, often in advanced disease for symptom management and standard guidelines integrating radiotherapy and palliative care should be developed.
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Abstract Disclosures
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