The mPal Web-based Tool for the Integration of Palliative Care into Advanced Stage Lung Cancer Treatment
This clinical trial tests the mPal web-based tool for the integration of palliative care into cancer treatment for patients with advanced stage lung cancer. Palliative care is an interdisciplinary approach to managing patients’ physical, mental, and spiritual concerns. Palliative care integrated with cancer treatment can improve patient outcomes. However, most patients with advanced lung cancer do not know what palliative care is or think it is related to end of life and may be reluctant to seek palliative care services without their care provider's recommendation. Also, cancer care providers sometimes do not understand how palliative care can help manage patient concerns during cancer treatment, do not have time to adequately assess and discuss the need for palliative care, and fear patient reactions when mentioning palliative care. Finally, healthcare systems rely on providers to refer patients to palliative care, but do not provide the tools or training needed to support referrals. The mPal web-based tool may help educate lung cancer patients about a supportive care resource, identify care needs, and help communicate those needs to their cancer care team.