Randomized Study of Early Palliative Care Integrated With Standard Oncology Care Versus Standard Oncology Care Alone in Patients With Incurable Lung or Non-Colorectal Gastrointestinal Malignancies

The study intervention consists of the early integration of palliative care services into
standard oncology care in an outpatient setting for patients with advanced lung and
non-colorectal gastrointestinal malignancies who are not being treated with curative intent.
The palliative care services provided to patients randomized to the intervention will be
provided by board-certified physicians and/or advanced practice nurses and will focus on the
following areas: (1) developing and maintaining the therapeutic relationship with the
patients and family caregivers; (2) assessing and treating patient symptoms; (3) providing
support and reinforcement of coping with advanced cancer in patients and family caregivers;
(4) assessing and enhancing prognostic awareness and illness understanding in patients and
family caregivers; (5) assisting with treatment decision-making; and (6) end-of-life care
planning.