CHEST Guidelines-Palliative-and-End-of-Life-Care-in-Lung-Cancer

Palliative-and-End-of-Life-Care-in-Lung-Cancer_che

Pdf Summary

The document is a comprehensive guideline supplement from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) focusing on palliative and end-of-life care in lung cancer. It underscores the importance of early and continuous discussions about prognosis and care goals between physicians and patients, starting at diagnosis (Grade 1B recommendation). With lung cancer being a significant cause of distress and high mortality, the guidelines aim to enhance the quality of life, manage symptoms, and address the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients and families during the illness trajectory.<br /><br />The guidelines are based on a review of the medical literature and emphasize the integration of palliative care early in treatment, especially for stage IV lung cancer or patients with high symptom burden (Grade 2B recommendation). The document outlines the necessity for patient-centered communication, highlighting the importance of active listening, empathy, and addressing spiritual needs. It suggests using structured communication methods like the SPIKES protocol to deliver bad news effectively.<br /><br />The guidelines advocate for a holistic approach to palliative care that includes the patient's family and treats non-medical aspects of terminal illness. This includes fostering good patient-physician communication, facilitating advance care planning, and ensuring smooth transitions into hospice care when appropriate. The guidelines also suggest integrating palliative care consultations into oncology practice to improve patient satisfaction, symptom management, and reduce healthcare costs without compromising care quality.<br /><br />Overall, the ACCP guidelines emphasize improving patient and caregiver experiences by promoting early palliative care integration, continuous reassessment of treatment goals, and robust communication practices, while also considering the economic implications and ensuring a dignified, supported end-of-life experience.

Keywords

palliative care

end-of-life care

lung cancer

ACCP guidelines

prognosis discussions

patient-centered communication

SPIKES protocol

holistic approach

advance care planning

hospice care