Abstract 1517P
Background
The benefits of an integrated palliative care team (PCT) in oncology are well known: better control of symptoms, improved quality of life, better allocation of resources and even possible survival increases. Considering the current evidence, in March 2019 the PCT in our centre changed its performance to intensify integration with onco and haematology (OH) clinics, seeking earlier patient assessment. The health teams' perceptions of this project were compared: pre-implantation (March 19) and 1 year after implantation (March 20).
Methods
The integration consisted of relocation of palliative care doctors to OH wards, participating in patient assistance, oncology visits and rounds. Before the integration, data on symptom control and communication were collected from patients, multi-professional teams (MPT) and oncology / haematology doctors (OHD). The same data were collected after 1 year of integration and compared retrospectively. Variables were descriptively analysed. Data were presented as mean, standard deviation and percentage. Comparisons were undertaken using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.
Results
In 2019, there were 80 patients, 145 MPT and 90 OHD; in 2020, 61 patients; 262 MPT and 60 OHD. OHD considered that the integration improved management of difficult communications/conflicts (83% - 95%; P = 0.028) and hospital discharge (74.4% - 93.9%; P = 0.003). 77.6% of OHD found integration good or excellent and the participation of palliative care doctors in oncology rounds productive or very productive. 82.6% of MPT considered the integration project as good or excellent. In the 2019-20 analysis, The perceptions symptom control being well controlled from the patients perspective changed from 88.8% to 96.7% (P = 0.114) and from the MPT perspective this changed from 62.8% to 69.1% (P = 0.194). The perceptions of patients and MPT before and after the project showed no statistical difference.
Conclusions
The integration of the PCT in the care of hospitalized cancer patients was well accepted by OHD, provided better communication and conflict resolution and facilitated hospital discharge. There was no statistical difference in symptom control, possibly due to the high rate of satisfaction with symptom control prior to integration.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
ICESP.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.