Communication along Milestones in Lung Cancer Patients with Advanced Disease

Abstract

Patients with advanced lung cancer and their caregivers are confronted with a complex situation as their disease-related burden comprises physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. During the illness trajectory with limited prognosis, they are exposed to different multidisciplinary healthcare settings and providers that challenge the continuity and coordination of care. Additionally, decision-making between active cancer treatment and end-of-life care constitutes a continuous balancing act. Several studies have shown that early integration of palliative care and adequate advance care planning improve quality of life and satisfaction with care. For this strategy, the communication skills of healthcare providers and interprofessional collaboration should be strengthened. A longitudinally structured communication approach along pivotal milestones of the disease can empower patients by facilitating coping and prognostic awareness, and achieve early integration of palliative care and advance care planning. Good interprofessional collaboration and communication lead to better coordination and continuity of care.

Keywords: Advance care planning; Advanced lung cancer; Communication; Early palliative care.