The study showed the value of The Royal Marsden Triggers Tool when identifying patients who could benefit from palliative care.
Triggers study team Dr Laila Kamal and Clinical Research Nurse Yuki Kano
Research carried out at The Royal Marsden has found that early palliative care supports patients to live as well as possible throughout their cancer journey.
The study, published in the Supportive Care in Cancer journal, found that using a referral screening checklist – known as The Royal Marsden Triggers tool – can help identify patients who are most likely to benefit from palliative care.
When used as part of a structured, holistic early palliative care service, this approach supports outpatients with timely intervention and personalised care that is centred on their needs, wishes and priorities.
Helping to normalise palliative care for patients living with cancer
Dr Joanne Droney, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, who led the study, said: “Our early palliative care service brings together the expertise of oncology and palliative care specialties at The Royal Marsden, taking a proactive approach to assessing and identifying patients’ needs.
It also helps normalise palliative care for patients who are living with cancer.”
Yuki Kano, Clinical Research Nurse, added: “Thanks to funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, we’ve been able to develop and deliver this innovative, holistic and integrated service, which benefits patients earlier in their treatment journey and helps improve their quality of life. We hope this evidence will support the delivery of early palliative care to all patients who would benefit, at The Royal Marsden and beyond.”
The study benefited from patient and public involvement, said Margaret Perkins, a patient and public contributor: “Having our input, from study design right through to sharing of our results, means that this study is relevant for patients and meets their needs.”
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