Perspectives of Hematology Oncology Clinicians about Integrating Palliative Care in Oncology

Patients with hematologic malignancies receive palliative care (PC) less frequently and later than patients with solid tumours. We compared survey responses of hematology oncology clinicians with other oncology clinicians to better understand their challenges with providing primary PC or using secondary PC. Patients’ negative perceptions of PC and limited time or competing priorities were challenges for all clinicians. Compared with other oncology clinicians, more hematology oncology clinicians perceived PC referral criteria as too restrictive (40% vs. 22%, p = 0.021) and anticipated that integrating pc supports into their practice would require substantial change (53% vs. 28%, p = 0.014). This study highlights barriers that may need targeted interventions to better integrate pc into the care of patients with hematologic malignancies.