Pharmacist-Led Telemedicine to Preserve Outpatient Palliative Care Access During a Staffing Shortage
An article published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management describes how a regional cancer center adapted a pharmacist-led telemedicine clinic to preserve outpatient palliative care access for established patients during a temporary staffing shortage. Specialty-trained palliative care pharmacists conducted symptom assessments and medication titration recommendations, which oncology teams could implement, increasing mean monthly encounters by 28% and achieving full oncologist acceptance of recommendations. The authors conclude this model was feasible and acceptable, highlighting a team-based approach that could help preserve palliative care access in underserved settings facing workforce disruptions.