Communication barriers remain. “A number of surgeons reported not knowing how to discuss this with families knowing that there is a stigma associated with palliative care – how to convey that they may pursue continued treatment in conjunction with palliative care,” said Dr. Suwanabol.
Surgeons adept at incorporating palliative care into their treatment plans continue to see the patients. “Even if a patient is not pursuing curative treatment, we do not want the patient to lose hope or feel abandoned by us, and I continue seeing my patients in follow-up until they feel overburdened by their clinic visits and choose not to come,” said Dr. Suwanabol.
In the absence of required palliative care training in medical schools or residencies, alternative approaches to achieving competency could include the American College of Surgeons Palliative Surgical Care Course, mentorships or collaborations with local palliative care specialists, or structured curricula implemented by experienced faculty, they added.
Dr. Suwanabol and her coauthors reported that they had no competing financial interests related to their study.