Literature on Palliative Care and Serious Illness

A randomized control trial which showed that remote patient monitoring of symptoms reduced emergency department and hospital use, while improving adherence to treatment (Basch et al.).

Meta-analysis of a broad range of possible outcomes from palliative care services (Kavalieratos et al.).

A randomized control trial which showed that early palliative care not only improved quality of life but resulted in longer survival (Temel et al.).

A consolidation of the evidence of the impact of advanced care planning and thoughts on resource use (Morrison, Meier, Arnold).

A review of 32 articles demonstrating palliative care led to improved patient and utilization outcomes for pediatric cancer patients (Kaye et al).

A retrospective analysis showing significant reductions in acute care utilization for decedents with home-based palliative care compared to usual care (Lustbader et al.).

A meta-analysis of hospital cost savings associated with palliative care services, highlighting differences in impact across patient populations (May et al.).

A systematic review and meta-analysis that found a significant association between palliative care and lower acute health care use and symptom burden in patients with non-cancer diagnoses (Quinn et al.).

An analysis of a health plan-led program of communication interventions and connection to palliative care and hospice, resulting in a significant decline in acute care utilization (Baquet-Simpson et al.).

An analysis across a 7-hospital system shows cost avoidance at 1.5 times palliative care spending and other benefits (Bharadwaj et al.).

A summary of 10 principles and relevant data to inform the business case for palliative care services across settings (Cassel et al.).

A study that used a survey to look at the prevalence of palliative care in cancer centers, with a significant increase in National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers (Hui et al.).

An analysis of data from the National Palliative Care Registry™ on the operations of pediatric palliative care programs in the US (Rogers et al.).

An analysis and commentary on the future size of the US palliative care workforce and recommended policy changes to spur growth (Kamal et al.).

A study reveals that access to board-certified Hospice and Palliative Care physicians and nurse practitioners varies widely, depending on geographic location (Frydman et al.).

An analysis of reported hospital palliative care availability, highlighting differences by hospital characteristics such as size and tax status (Rogers et al.).

A summary of the published literature on racial disparities in care during serious illness for Black people shows that few studies research the reasons for these disparities (Heitner et al.).

A summary of racial pain assessment and management disparities, and the opportunities for Medicare Advantage plans to mitigate them, even in the face of state opioid restrictions (Silvers et al.).

Survey findings highlighting disrespectful and inappropriate clinician behavior when caring for LGBTQ+ patients with serious illness (Stein et al.).

An overview of difficulties encountered by patients with serious illness in rural communities and the palliative care teams trying to help (Huff C).

An overview of how palliative care has been incorporated into care plans and systems to support veterans with serious illness (Sullivan et al.).

An analysis of emergency department visits for patients with cancer or multiple chronic conditions, highlighting the prevalence and cost impact of specific symptoms (Panattoni et al.).

An article describes that the majority of patients receiving chemotherapy for incurable cancers may not understand that chemotherapy is unlikely to be curative, which could compromise their ability to make informed treatment decisions that are consonant with their preferences (Weeks et al.).

A narrative article providing perspective on why some clinicians may recommend treatments (DE Meier).

A national summary of caregiver characteristics and consequences of caregiving; updated every 5 years (AARP and NAC).

Guidance on how palliative care teams can partner with caregivers and provide psychosocial support (Applebaum et al.).

A randomized controlled trial showing the impact of palliative care services on informal caregivers, and the sustainability of impact (El-Jawahri et al.).

An analysis highlighting that death and spending in the last year of life remains unpredictable despite many algorithms (Einav et al.).

An article which shows that despite clearly-aligned incentives, few Medicare Shared Savings Programs employ palliative care and other strategies focused on patients with serious illness. Interviews reveal the likely barriers. (Bleser et al.).

An article summarizing the limitations and interpretation cautions of available data on the use of specialty palliative care (JB Cassel).

A summary of twelve articles concerning public perceptions of palliative care, hospice, and advance care planning, which are three distinct challenges that require precise public messaging (Grant, Back, Dettmar).