Table 6.

Individual thematic quotes describing the palliative care team process and outcomes

Theme	Individual quotes (gender, age, diagnosis)
(1) Consistent communication to individualize care	“The team was great, I mean they came in every day and at first it was kind of hard to answer their questions about the level of pain but they worked very hard to try to find the right combination of medicines and once they came up with a suggestion they were put into effect right away, which I was surprised. And once we got the right combination everything progressed very quickly, I got well much faster and was home within just a few days then.”—female, age 45, mesothelioma
	“Actually just, I mean just having somebody talk to you about alternatives, not just medicine but alternatives to things like that, knowing that the group was there and that they cared enough to follow up with you and come and check with you and stuff like that, so if I had a problem I could call somebody. ”—male, age 49, mucinous adenocarcinoma
(2) Emotional support or “being there”	“Well, they’ve never not been there for me, they’re always a phone call away. I have the business card right here. ”—male age 44, melanoma
	“Helps to manage pain. Dr. B. is available to adjust the treatment even at home. The worked with me until the neurontin kicked in. ”—male, age 50, adenocarcinoma
	“They’re around to help you modify your routine to avoid symptoms. I’ve never needed to call them. ”—male, age 48, mesothelioma
(3) Assistance with pain and symptom management	“They definitely supported me, it was really impressive I guess in the hospital to have members of the team check on me and sometimes in fact the whole team there at one time, which was impressive, but I just feel like as I said in answer to one of the other questions, that my experience here has been that they’ve been very concerned with the control of the pain as opposed to just saying here’s some medication, there’s been a lot of concern about is it working to make me as comfortable as possible. ”—female, age 50, ocular melanoma
	“I have used them when I’ve returned home. Again, you know anxiety and insomnia which isn’t necessarily related to my pain and all. But certainly waking up and the music helped me relax and get back to sleep, I have used and it really was helpful to me. ”—female, age 45, colon cancer
	“During the time I was here during the surgery I was having a problem and they sent in an acupuncturist to try and relieve some of the discomfort I was having and they were visiting on a regular basis and based on the visits they will make more. ”—male, age 62, mesothelioma
	“Well today she gave us a phone number, and I guess I didn’t know before that I could call and talk to them. And I’d say my main concern has been the fact that I’m so tired all the time. And she talked to me about”—female, age 62, ocular melanoma