Should Patients Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy be Able to Receive Hospice Care?
Orlando, Fla. (April 30, 2005) — Research shows that the median survival of cancer patients who participate in phase 1 clinical trials is six and a half months. Yet, patients with advanced or metastatic cancer sometimes seek active treatment in hopes that an experimental therapy will make a difference, said Jeanne Held-Warmkessel, MSN, RN, APRN, BC, AOCN, clinical nurse specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa. Held and colleagues explore the use of active treatment in patients suitable for hospice care, including reimbursement issues and pilot programs today, at the 30th Annual Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress. “Many patients seek active treatment to provide hope and optimism in a difficult time or they choose to participate in a clinical trial in hopes that what is learned can benefit other cancer patients,” said Held-Warmkessel. “However, Medicare does not provide funds for chemotherapy and hospice care or clinical trial participation and hospice care to occ
