Challenges in nursing care for patients with cancer and severe mental illness: A case report

Patients with severe mental illness often present with more advanced cancer at diagnosis, experience poorer quality of care, receive fewer medical treatments, have higher overall disease mortality, and are less likely to access timely palliative care when compared to patients without severe mental illness. Research findings have shown that early involvement of specialized palliative care services for patients with advanced cancer improves quality of life, increases satisfaction with care, and mitigates depression. This case study will highlight the spectrum of challenges in caring for patients with a severe mental illness and advanced cancer from the perspective of an inpatient palliative care consult team.