Characterizing Oncologist Involvement in an Oncology Nurse-Led Primary Palliative Care Intervention (CONNECT)

Background and Objectives: Mixed success with primary palliative care delivery models may be related to inadequate communication between members of the care team. We sought to describe the previously unexamined role of oncologists in an oncology nurse-led primary palliative care intervention study. Design, Setting, and Subjects: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from Care Management by Oncology Nurses to Address Supportive Care Needs, a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a nurse-led primary palliative care intervention for adults with advanced cancer conducted at 17 community oncology clinics in Western Pennsylvania from 2016 to 2020. Nurses conducted three monthly study visits during which they developed care plans (CPs) with the patient and after which they updated the patient's oncologist. We characterized the level of oncologist involvement with the intervention. Results: Of the 336 patients randomized to receive primary palliative care, 266 completed at least one study visit and 233 (88%) had at least one visit where the oncologist was updated afterward. Across 674 total study visits, the oncologist was updated in 553 (82%) of the visits, signifying the oncologist awareness of the intervention. Of the times the nurse updated the oncologist, a CP was presented 29% of the time (163/553). Conclusion: In a large trial of oncology nurse-led primary palliative care, oncologists were often aware of but infrequently involved with the intervention. Future primary palliative care interventions should consider communication and engagement among team members.