Abstract

There is now definitive evidence for the effectiveness of early palliative care, but there has been variability in clinical trials in its effect on such outcomes as symptom control, quality of life, depression, and survival. There is also ambiguity about the mechanisms that account for the effects of early palliative care on such outcomes or for the negative findings reported in some studies. This variability and ambiguity may be partly because of lack of specification of the interventions, beyond their structural aspects, or because measures of process or treatment integrity have not been employed. These issues will be explored in the context of large RCT of a psychotherapeutic intervention for metastatic and advanced cancer.

Speaker

Gary Rodin is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-Life Care (GIPPEC) at the University of Toronto. He is also the inaugural Director of Experience, a comprehensive program at the University Health Network to support the interconnected well-being of patients, families, staff and trainees. Dr Rodin leads an internationally recognised clinical and research program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre focused on the development, evaluation, and global implementation of novel interventions to improve the psychological wellbeing and quality of life of patients with cancer and their families. He has published widely in these areas and has been recognised for his global efforts to ensure universal access to psychosocial and palliative interventions and optimal end-of-life care for patients and families facing advanced disease.