The cultivation of prognostic awareness through the provision of early palliative care in the ambulatory setting: a communication guide

J Palliat Med. 2013 Aug;16(8):894-900. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2012.0547. Epub 2013 Jun 20.

Abstract

Early, integrated palliative care delivered in the ambulatory setting has been associated with improved quality of life, lower rates of depression, and even prolonged survival. We outline an expert practice that provides a step-wise approach to cultivating prognostic awareness in patients cared for by a palliative care clinician early in the course of the patient's disease. This approach can be used by both novice and more experienced palliative care clinicians.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care / standards*
  • Ambulatory Care / trends
  • Awareness
  • Communication
  • Critical Illness / psychology*
  • Decision Making
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / standards*
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / trends
  • Depression / etiology
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Depression / psychology
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / classification
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Palliative Care / standards*
  • Palliative Care / trends
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Patient Education as Topic / standards
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Prognosis*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Truth Disclosure