When and how to stop palliative antineoplastic treatment and to organise palliative care for patients with incurable cancer

Abstract

Background: Improving the organisational aspects of the delivery of palliative care in order to support patients throughout their disease trajectory has received limited attention. Aim: To investigate the opportunities and barriers related to organising palliation for people with terminal cancer and their families. Methods: An explorative interview study was conducted among 31 nurses and three physicians concerning an intervention facilitating a fast transition from treatment at a cancer centre at a university hospital to palliation at home. A thematic analysis was conducted. Findings: This article presents three out of seven themes: 1) improvement in the cessation of antineoplastic treatment in palliation; 2) improvement in organisations delivering palliation; and 3) improvement in multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the demand for flexible, family-centred and integrated palliation at all levels, from communication and the collaborative relationship between healthcare professionals and families to service sectors.