An APP-Physician Model Improves Risk Stratification and Palliative Care

Jia Conway, DNP, CRNP, AOCNP, Nurse Practitioner
Cancer Care Associates of York

With the understanding that patient education about palliative care is an important component of oncology care, this practice implemented an advanced practice provider-physician model to provide this education. Risk-stratification assessment tools establish baseline metrics related to deficits in the areas of nutrition, psychosocial health, performance and mental status changes, skin breakdown, fall risks, incontinence risk, and treatment tolerance, as well as existing co-morbidities. Providers then use these outcome measurements to make patient-specific, safe treatment decisions about chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation.