TABLE 2.

The Role and Benefits of Nonhospice pC

Nonhospice PC Roles	Potential Benefits
Symptom management (physical and psychological)	Improved symptom control and reduced suffering
Distress management	Improved QOL
Spiritual and cultural care	Improved support for patients and caregivers; better coping with illness; improved communication
Disease and prognosis understanding	Better understanding of disease and preparedness to face the normal trajectory of illness
ACP and goals of care	Establishment of advance directives and surrogate decision-makers; decreased aggressive care at the end of life; increased hospice use when needed
Care coordination (among providers, offering community support through social-work services)	Decreased health care use and health care costs; improved quality of care
Caregiver support	Reduced caregiver burden; improved satisfaction with care; bereavement support

Abbreviations: ACP, advance care planning; PC, palliative care; QOL, quality of life.