Table 5.

The organizational and management models for the realization of Simultaneous Care (PART D).

		N. respondents	%
D1	Do you think it may be useful to integrate Units of Oncology and Palliative Care Services for a global care approach of the cancer patient?
	Yes, in an early phase of diagnosis of advanced disease	340	86
	Yes, but only in end-stage / terminal disease	33	9
	No	9	2
	I don't know	9	3
D2	Which of these models proposed by Bruera (8) do you consider more effective?
	Model A: the Medical Oncology Unit takes care of all patient-related issues, from the oncological treatment to symptom control	89	24
	Model B: the Medical Oncology Unit focuses on cancer assessment and treatment and refers the patient to various subspecialties for other concerns (i.e. pneumologist for dyspnea, anesthesiologist for pain management, psychiatrist for emotional distress, etc)	74	19
	Model C: the Medical Oncology Unit focuses on cancer assessment and treatment and collaborates with the palliative care team, which provides control of symptoms and participates in multidisciplinary tumor boards	228	57
D3	Of the three model proposed by Bruera, which one is actuated or could be feasible in your place of work?
	A	94	25
	B	122	31
	C	144	36
	None	31	8
D4	Do you think that the integration between the Units of Medical Oncology and Palliative Care Services should take place in a structured way?
	Yes, through a departmental structured organization	284	63
	Yes, through regular meetings and case discussions	154	34
	No, it should take place on a spontaneous basis	2	0
	I don't know	9	2
D5	Which aspect of patient care do you think could improve through the integration between Medical Oncology and Palliative Care Units/ Services?
	Caring for the patient in all patient-related issues	281	42*	63^
	Having more professionals to provide better quality of life for the patient	216	32	48
	Deal more effectively with the issues of ending active treatment	96	14	21
	Allows for a more effective delivery of oncological treatments	80	12	18
	None of the above	4	1	1
D6	What do you think may be the main critical issues with the palliative care team after referral of the patient?
	The organizational aspects for the management of the patient (periodical meetings, contact only when needed etc)	261	48*	58^
	The possibility of conflicts between professionals	108	20	24
	The loss of the main decisional role in therapeutic choices	24	4	5
	The introduction of an element of confusion in the therapeutic path of the patient	88	16	20
	None of the above	63	12	14

Footnotes: * % on total options; ^ % on single options