Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc, assistant professor of radiation oncology and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses how patients benefit when healthcare providers look at the “whole picture” in advanced stage cancer treatment. 

In a study evaluating 336 patients with stage 4 cancer receiving radiation for symptomatic bone metastases, 161 received a combination of palliative care and radiation therapy and were found to be more likely to finish treatment, have a condensed course of therapy, and be discharged from the hospital an average of six days earlier.

The goal of the study was to establish a basis for palliative care doctors and radiation oncologists to work together to provide better care for patients with advanced stage cancer and take their goals and preferences for treatment into account. 

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Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc, assistant professor of radiation oncology and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses how patients benefit when healthcare providers look at the “whole picture” in advanced stage cancer treatment. 

Kavita Dharmarajan on the Benefits of "Whole Picture" Palliative Care

Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc, assistant professor of radiation oncology and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses palliative radiation oncology referrals.

In a study evaluating 336 patients with stage IV cancer receiving radiation for symptomatic bone metastases, 161 received a combination of palliative care and radiation therapy and were found to be more likely to finish treatment, have a condensed course of therapy, and be discharged from the hospital earlier.

Within one month of completing palliative radiation, Dharmarajan saw an increase in the use of palliative care services. For these patients, management of their symptoms continued beyond radiation and painkillers to include additional provisions of support and care coordination.

Patients treated under the new model may have had access to palliative care services sooner than those referred through standard channels, Dharmarajan says.

Articles

Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc, assistant professor of radiation oncology and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses palliative radiation oncology referrals.


Kavita Dharmarajan on Palliative Radiation Oncology Referrals

Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc, assistant professor of radiation oncology and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses the benefits of pairing radiation oncology and palliative care.

In a study evaluating 336 patients with stage IV cancer receiving radiation for symptomatic bone metastases, 161 received a combination of palliative care and radiation therapy. The remaining 175 patients received standard care.

Dharmarajan found that patients treated under the new model were more likely to finish their therapy, have a condensed course of treatment, and be discharged from the hospital an average of 6 days earlier.

http://www.curetoday.com/articles/pairing-radiation-oncology-and-palliative-care-leads-to-better-outcomes

Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc

Articles

Kavita Dharmarajan on the Benefits of "Whole Picture" Palliative Care

Kavita Dharmarajan on Palliative Radiation Oncology Referrals

Kavita Dharmarajan on Radiation Oncology and Palliative Care