COVID-19 Impact on Referrals to Outpatient Palliative Care for Patients with Advanced Cancer
A study presented at ASCO examined outpatient palliative care referrals for uninsured cancer patients in Dallas, TX, comparing patterns before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed a decrease in referrals during the pandemic, with pre-pandemic patients more likely to receive referrals than post-pandemic patients. Referral rates varied significantly by cancer type, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to enhance palliative care access and integration for medically underserved populations.