Barriers to Equitable Palliative Care Utilization Among Patients with Cancer

Gabriel D Ivey; Fabian M Johnston

doi:10.1016/j.soc.2021.07.003

Barriers to Equitable Palliative Care Utilization Among Patients with Cancer

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2022 Jan;31(1):9-20. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2021.07.003. Epub 2021 Oct 20.

Authors

Gabriel D Ivey¹, Fabian M Johnston²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 611, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
² Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Blalock 606, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: fjohnst4@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 34776067
DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2021.07.003

Abstract

Over the past half century, palliative care has grown to become a pillar of clinical oncology. Its practice revolves around relieving suffering and optimizing quality of life, not just dealing with end-of-life decisions. Despite evidence that palliative care has the potential to reduce health care utilization and improve advance care planning without affecting mortality, palliative care remains inequitably accessible and underutilized. Furthermore, it is still too often introduced late in the care of patients receiving surgical intervention. This article summarizes the numerous and complex barriers to equitable palliative care utilization among patients with cancer. Potential strategies for dismantling these barriers are also discussed.

Keywords: Barriers to palliative care; Cancer; Hospice and palliative medicine; Palliative care disparities.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Advance Care Planning*
Humans
Medical Oncology
Neoplasms* / therapy
Palliative Care
Quality of Life