Early Referral to Palliative Care: The Rationing of Timely Health Care for Cancer Patients

Authors

  • Paulo Reis-Pina Palliative Care Unit. Casa de Saúde da Idanha. Sintra. Palliative Care Unit. Domus Fraternitas. Braga. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4665-585X
  • Rita Gameiro dos Santos Department of Medical Oncology. Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo. Barreiro.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.11911

Keywords:

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated, Palliative Care, Patient Care Team, Referral and Consultation, Terminal Care

Abstract

Palliative care in oncology is an interdisciplinary approach, centered on patients and their families, carried out along the course of neoplastic diseases, based on symptom control, assertive communication and shared decision-making. Although clinical guidelines recommend a holistic intervention, early integration of palliative care into traditional oncological treatment, research shows a great delay in referral of patients, restricting palliative care to end-of-life care. Why does there seem to be a rationing of the early referral, sometimes in violation of human dignity? To a large extent it has to do with lack of knowledge, training and education of health professionals about palliative care and the techniques to deal with the process of death and dying. Several studies have demonstrated the benefit of integrating palliative actions into the routine of active cancer treatments, not only in terms of effective control of physical and psychological symptoms, but also in terms of overall quality of life, patient and family satisfaction, health care costs and survival in some cases. It is necessary to take measures that encourage oncologists to obtain further training in palliative care, as a formal, compulsory internship, integrated in their specific training program. This way, a new generation of physicians will surely change the lives of cancer patients, and their families, integrating — without disproportionate rationing — oncology and palliative medicine.

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Author Biography

Rita Gameiro dos Santos, Department of Medical Oncology. Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo. Barreiro.

Ex-Médico da Unidade de Dor do IPOLFG, EPE Ex-Médico da Equipa de Cuidados Paliativos do IPOLFG, EPE preispina@doctor.com

Published

2019-08-01

How to Cite

1.
Reis-Pina P, dos Santos RG. Early Referral to Palliative Care: The Rationing of Timely Health Care for Cancer Patients. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2019 Aug. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];32(7-8):475-6. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/11911

Issue

Section

Perspective