'It's More Difficult...': Clinicians' Experience Providing Palliative Care to Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed With Advanced Cancer

摘要

QUESTION ASKED: What are health care providers' (HCPs') difficulties engaging in discussions about palliative care with adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with advanced cancer and their families, despite their proven benefits in improving patients' quality of life? SUMMARY OF RESULTS: Participants described an increased emotional connection with the AYA population and more turmoil when treating younger people with advanced cancer. This type of emotional proximity contributed to their reluctance to engage in discussions about palliative care with AYAs and their families. In addition, HCPs were unsure how to approach/include the family in palliative care discussion when there is the common perception that palliative care is synonymous with end of life.