2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (ePosters)-EP10.01-008. Examining Social Determinants of Health Among Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer Patients Contacted for Early Specialist Palliative Care Consultation

EP10.01-008. Examining Social Determinants of Health Among Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer Patients Contacted for Early Specialist Palliative Care Consultation

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The study examined the demographic characteristics of lung cancer patients who accepted or declined early specialist palliative care consultation. The researchers used the Palliative Care Early and Systematic (PaCES) program, which involved automatically calling patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer after their first oncologist visit to offer a consultation with a palliative and supportive care nurse. The objective of the study was to describe and compare the demographic factors of patients who accepted or declined the consultation.<br /><br />The results showed that there was no statistical difference in demographic factors between the patients who accepted or declined the consultation. The demographic factors analyzed included gender, age, education level, household income, language spoken, and ethnicity. Interestingly, the study found that automatic, routine calls can ensure that all patients are offered access to specialist palliative care.<br /><br />The study highlighted the importance of early palliative care in cancer, as it improves symptom burden and quality of life and reduces chemotherapy use at the end of life. However, despite these benefits, early palliative care is still not used routinely, with only 47% locally utilizing it. Access to palliative care services can also differ based on age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.<br /><br />The researchers suggested conducting a chart review to compare the demographic factors of a larger cohort of patients who accepted or declined the consultation. They also emphasized the need to continue identifying and addressing inequities in cancer and palliative care service access and utilization.<br /><br />Overall, the study provided insights into the demographic characteristics of lung cancer patients who accepted or declined early specialist palliative care consultation and highlighted the potential of automatic calls to ensure equal access to palliative care services.

Asset Subtitle

Desiree Hao

Meta Tag

Speaker Desiree Hao

Topic Palliative and Supportive Care

Keywords

lung cancer patients

specialist palliative care consultation

demographic characteristics

PaCES program

automatic calls

symptom burden

quality of life

early palliative care

access to palliative care

inequities in cancer