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Palliative Care in Oncology; Advanced Breast Cancer Management; Patient Quality of Life; Hospital Length of Stay; Code Status Decisions; Retrospective Quantitative Evaluation; Patient-Centered Care; Healthcare Utilization; Palliative Care Consultation Impact

Introduction

Palliative care, with its holistic, patient-centered approach, has become increasingly recognized as an essential component of comprehensive cancer care. This multidisciplinary service aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification, impeccable assessment, and the treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial, and spiritual [1]. The importance of integrating palliative care into the treatment plans for patients with advanced breast cancer cannot be overstated, given the complex challenges this population faces.

Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) represents a particularly distressing phase of the disease, where curative treatments are no longer effective, and the focus shifts towards extending the quality and duration of life [2]. Patients with ABC often endure significant physical symptoms, including pain, fatigue, and the side effects of ongoing treatment, as well as profound emotional, social, and spiritual distress. These multifaceted challenges highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to care that addresses these diverse needs.

Despite the proven benefits of palliative care in enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life, the integration of these services into the care continuum for patients with ABC remains inconsistent [3,4]. Barriers to integration include a lack of awareness among healthcare providers and patients about the benefits of palliative care, misconceptions that it is synonymous with end-of-life care, and systemic issues within healthcare systems that limit access to these services.

Recent guidelines from leading oncology and palliative care organizations advocate for the early introduction of palliative care into the treatment plan for patients with advanced cancer [4]. These guidelines are based on a growing body of evidence suggesting that early palliative care consultation can lead to better symptom management, improved patient, and caregiver satisfaction, and even extended survival in some cases [4,5].

The current study aims to explore the impact of inpatient palliative care consultation on specific outcomes for patients with ABC, including the length of stay in the hospital and changes in code status, from full code to “Do Not Resuscitate, Do Not Intubate” (DNR/DNI). By focusing on these outcomes, the study seeks to provide insights into the tangible benefits of palliative care for this patient population and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about how best to integrate palliative care into the comprehensive management of advanced breast cancer.

Overall, the necessity of palliative care in the treatment of advanced breast cancer is clear, given its potential benefit to address the complex needs of this patient population holistically. This study endeavors to add to the evidence base supporting the integration of palliative care, with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with ABC.

Literature Review

The Evolution and Definition of Palliative Care

Palliative care has undergone significant evolution since its inception, growing from a service primarily associated with end-oflife care to a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their families facing the challenges of serious illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as an approach that enhances the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification, assessment, and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial, and spiritual. This definition underscores the holistic nature of palliative care, extending beyond mere symptom management to address the full spectrum of needs experienced by patients [6].

Palliative Care in Oncology: A Paradigm Shift

In the realm of oncology, the integration of palliative care has marked a paradigm shift towards a more patient-centered model of care. Seminal studies in the early 21st century began to highlight the benefits of early palliative care involvement for cancer patients, challenging the traditional trajectory of introducing palliative care only at the end stages of disease. For instance, Temel et al. demonstrated that patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer who received early palliative care experienced significant improvements in both quality of life and mood compared to those receiving standard care. Furthermore, this early intervention was associated with extended survival, challenging misconceptions that palliative care is synonymous with giving up on active treatment [7,8].

Palliative Care for Advanced Breast Cancer

Focusing on ABC, the need for palliative care becomes particularly acute. ABC represents a stage where the disease is no longer curable, and treatment goals pivot towards extending life and alleviating symptoms. The complexity of managing ABC – encompassing aggressive treatment regimens, symptom burden, and the emotional toll of facing a terminal diagnosis – highlights the indispensability of palliative care in this context. Studies have consistently shown that palliative care, when integrated with standard oncologic treatment, leads to better management of symptoms, reduced psychological distress, and improved decision-making about end-of-life care [3,9,10].

The Impact of Palliative Care on Quality of Life and Healthcare Utilization

The literature consistently supports the notion that palliative care interventions improve the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer, including ABC. A systematic review by Zimmermann et al. synthesized evidence from multiple studies, finding that palliative care led to significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes related to quality of life, symptom intensity, and mood. Beyond patientcentered outcomes, palliative care has also been shown to influence healthcare utilization patterns. By facilitating advanced care planning and aligning treatment decisions with patient preferences, palliative care can lead to a more judicious use of healthcare resources, often resulting in reduced hospital stays and less aggressive care at the end of life [11-14].

Barriers to Integrating Palliative Care

Despite the recognized benefits, barriers to the timely integration of palliative care in oncology persist. These include healthcare professional misconceptions about palliative care equating to end-oflife care, lack of training in palliative care principles among oncologists, and systemic issues such as insufficient palliative care resources and referral pathways. The lack of financial reimbursement remains one of the main barriers in Lebanon. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for ensuring that patients with ABC receive the full spectrum of care they need and deserve [15].

The Role of Palliative Care in Advanced Care Planning and End-of-Life Decision Making

One of the critical roles of palliative care in the context of ABC is facilitating advanced care planning and end-of-life decisionmaking. This process involves discussions about patient preferences for life-sustaining treatments, including resuscitation and mechanical ventilation, in the context of what is medically appropriate and aligned with the patient’s values and goals. Research indicates that palliative care consultations increase the frequency and quality of these conversations, leading to more patients choosing care options focused on comfort and quality of life, such as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and Do Not Intubate (DNI) orders [16,17].

Methodology

Study Design

This research employs a retrospective quantitative study approach to evaluate the impact of inpatient palliative care consultation on patients with advanced breast cancer. The study focuses on examining changes in code status and LOS before and after palliative care consultation.

Setting and Patients

The study was conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) in Lebanon, within the Palliative and Supportive Care Program. A total of 263 patients admitted to AUBMC and seen by the palliative care team from 2014-2022 were included. The patient cohort comprised individuals hospitalized for various reasons, including but not limited to, pain management and end-oflife care, specifically targeting those with advanced breast cancer. The inclusion of a wide range of hospitalization reasons was instrumental in understanding the broad impact of palliative care services on this patient population.

Data Collection

Data was meticulously collected from the palliative care program records. A de-identification process was employed to ensure patient confidentiality, removing identifiers such as names, medical record numbers (MRN), and dates of admission. What remained were key variables that are central to our investigation: reasons for hospitalization, LOS before and after receiving in-patient care consultation, and patients’ code status before and after such consultations.

Data Analysis

Descriptive statistics were calculated utilizing Microsoft Excel as our primary tool. This choice was driven by Excel's wide accessibility and its robust functionality for calculating means and identifying trends in data. Through this analysis, we aimed to capture a comprehensive picture of how palliative care consultations influenced the length of stay in the hospital and decisions regarding code status, moving from full code to "Do Not Resuscitate, Do Not Intubate" (DNR/DNI) options. The analysis focused on calculating the mean LOS for patients before and after palliative care consultation, and code status changes pre- and post- consultation. By calculating the average LOS before and after palliative care consultation, we were able to assess whether the involvement of palliative care could be associated with changes in hospital stay duration. Similarly, evaluating the percentage of patients who altered their code status from full code to DNR/DNI before and after consultation provided insights into the patients' decision-making processes and their preferences for end-of-life care.

Ethical Consideration

The methodology was designed with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations, particularly the confidentiality and privacy of patient information. The de-identification process prior to analysis ensured that patient data was handled with the utmost respect and care, aligning with ethical standards in medical research.

Results

Length of Stay (LOS)

The average LOS before palliative care consultation was 8.02 days, which significantly reduced to 6.85 days post-consultation. The trend observed over the years suggests a consistent reduction in LOS following palliative care intervention, indicating enhanced efficiency in patient care and hospital resource utilization (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Average Length of Stay Before and After Palliative Care Consultation (PCC).

Code Status Change

A substantial increase in the proportion of patients opting for DNR/ DNI status was observed, rising from 30% in 2014 to 84% in 2022. This trend underscores a growing preference for care de-escalation and a focus on quality of life among ABC patients (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Percentage of Patients De-Escalating Care from Full Code to DNR/DNI.

Discussion

Our retrospective review of palliative care’s impact on ABC patients reveals two primary outcomes: a significant reduction in hospital LOS post-palliative care consultation and a marked increase in the proportion of patients opting for DNR/DNI status. These findings, illustrated in our accompanying graphs, underscore the tangible benefits of palliative care integration into ABC management.

The observed decrease in LOS from an average of 8.02 days before palliative care consultation to 6.85 days afterward highlights the effectiveness of palliative care in addressing the complex needs of ABC patients more efficiently, facilitating earlier transitions to outpatient care settings. This reduction not only reflects improved patient management but also has broader implications for healthcare resource utilization, potentially alleviating the burden on hospital services and reducing healthcare costs. Moreover, the increase in patients shifting to DNR/DNI status, from 30% in 2014 to 84% in 2022, suggests a significant change in patient preferences towards end-of-life care. This shift likely reflects the success of palliative care consultations in fostering more informed decision-making by providing patients and their families with a clear understanding of the prognosis and treatment options. Such discussions empower patients to make choices that align with their values and preferences, emphasizing quality of life.

Reduction in Length of Stay

The observed reduction in LOS post-palliative care consultation aligns with emerging evidence that palliative care interventions can streamline patient management, leading to more efficient use of hospital resources [18]. This efficiency likely stems from the comprehensive assessment and management of symptoms, both physical and psychosocial, that palliative care teams offer. By addressing these issues proactively, palliative care can prevent complications and reduce the need for acute care services, facilitating earlier discharge from the hospital [19].

Furthermore, the reduction in LOS has implications beyond the immediate benefits to patients and healthcare systems. It may reflect a broader shift in care goals towards prioritizing quality of life and patient-centered decision-making. As palliative care teams work closely with patients and families to clarify goals of care and align treatment decisions with these goals, unnecessary interventions that do not contribute to patient well-being can be minimized [11,12,20].

Shift in Code Status Preferences

The significant increase in patients opting for DNR/DNI status post-palliative care consultation is a critical finding of our study. This trend suggests that palliative care consultations play a vital role in facilitating serious illness conversations, where patients are encouraged to reflect on their values and preferences for end-of-life care [16]. Such discussions are essential for ensuring that care plans are in alignment with patients’ wishes, ultimately leading to more patient-centered care. This shift also indicates a growing recognition among ABC patients of the importance of focusing on the quality rather than the quantity of life in the advanced stages of illness. By choosing DNR/DNI status, patients often seek to avoid aggressive interventions that may not significantly improve their prognosis while potentially detracting from their quality of life [17,21].

Comparison with Existing Literature

Our findings contribute to a growing body of literature that underscores the value of early palliative care integration for patients with advanced cancers. Studies have consistently shown that palliative care can improve a range of outcomes, from symptom management and emotional support to patient and family satisfaction and even survival in certain cases [7,13]. Our study builds on this evidence, specifically highlighting the impact of palliative care on hospital LOS and end-of-life care preferences in the ABC patient population.

Study Limitations and Future Research

While our study provides valuable insights, it is not without limitations. The retrospective design and single-center setting may limit the generalizability of our findings. Additionally, the use of descriptive statistics, while informative, does not allow for causal inferences. Future research should employ prospective, multicenter designs to validate and expand upon our findings, exploring the mechanisms through which palliative care achieves its benefits.

Moreover, future studies should examine the role of patientreported outcome measures in assessing the impact of palliative care. These measures can provide critical insights into the patient’s experience, offering a more nuanced understanding of how palliative care interventions affect quality of life, symptom burden, and psychological well-being [22].

Conclusion

The results of our study affirm the critical role of palliative care in the management of advanced breast cancer, demonstrating significant benefits in terms of both patient-centered outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. By facilitating a shift towards care that aligns with patient preferences and enhancing the efficiency of hospital resource use, palliative care consultations represent a key component of comprehensive cancer care. These findings underscore the need for healthcare policies and practices that support the integration of palliative care into the standard care pathway for patients with advanced breast cancer, ensuring that all patients have access to care that prioritizes their quality of life and respects their values and preferences.

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