New study finds underutilization of early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer mostly attributable to provider and organizational characteristics

New study finds underutilization of early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer mostly attributable to provider and organizational characteristics 
American Cancer Society; 5/28/24 
A new study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows despite considerable growth in early palliative care (PC) use, utilization among patients with advanced cancer remained low from 2010 to 2019. ... Early integration of palliative care is recommended for advanced-stage cancers, but evidence of its use and the role of provider and organizational characteristics in its uptake is limited. ... Early PC was defined as receipt of PC within 90 days post-diagnosis and before hospice admission, if any. ... Study authors stress the large variation between providers and organizations suggest important modifiable provider behaviors and organizational characteristics in early PC receipt, ...