Describing Uniquely Vulnerable Patients Served by an Outpatient Non-Oncologic Palliative Clinic
In a study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, researchers analyzed two years of data from an outpatient non-oncologic palliative care clinic, serving patients with heart failure, end-stage lung disease, chronic pain, and other complex conditions. Many patients were older, medically complex, and socially vulnerable, and most preferred telehealth visits, which reduced missed appointments and improved access. The study concludes that embedding palliative care within primary care clinics, supporting multidisciplinary collaboration, and leveraging telehealth can help meet growing patient needs while maintaining clinic sustainability.