PALliative Care Yields Cancer welLbEing Support

Challenge: Many patients with advanced cancer in the final phase of life leave hospitals without proper continuity and coordination of care. Solution: PAL-CYCLES, a transitional palliative care (PC) program for patients with advanced cancer, adaptable to different healthcare systems. The program consists of 5 key components: (1) identification of patients with PC needs; (2) compassionate communication with patients and families; (3) collaborative multidimensional care plan and follow-up in the home setting; (4) periodic evaluation of the care plan; (5) identification of the terminal phase, with appropriate intensification of end-of-life care, including ethically sensitive issues. Plan: To develop, adapt, implement, and evaluate the PAL-CYCLES program in 7 European countries using a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial design. Patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals' experiences, as well as ethical and equity issues will be addressed using qualitative research methods. Impact: PAL-CYCLES will facilitate patient-centred communication and continuity of PC in the community, reducing unplanned hospital admissions and improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer at the end-of-life.