Objectives

This article describes successful institutionally-based programs for providing high quality palliative care to people with cancer and their family members. Challenges and opportunities for program development are also described.

Data Sources

Published literature from 2000 to present describing concurrent oncology palliative care clinical trials, standards and guidelines were reviewed.

Conclusion

Clinical trials have demonstrated feasibility and positive outcomes and formed the basis for consensus guidelines that support concurrent oncology palliative care models.

Implications for nursing practice

Oncology nurses should advocate for all patients with advanced cancer and their families to have access to concurrent oncology palliative oncology care from the time of diagnosis with a life-limiting cancer.