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Research has confirmed that early palliative care has numerous benefits for individuals with advanced lung cancer. Per the National Consensus Project definition, palliative care means patient and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering. Palliative care throughout the continuum of illness involves addressing physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs and to facilitate patient autonomy, access to information, and choice. Studies have shown that patients receiving palliative care services early in their treatment experience significantly improved quality of life, lower depression, and longer survival compared to patients who received standard care without palliative support. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommended in 2017 that patients with advanced cancer, whether inpatient or outpatient, should receive dedicated palliative care services, early in the disease course, concurrent with active treatment. Referring patients to interdisciplinary palliative care teams is optimal, and services may complement existing programs.
End of life care is another area in which primary care involvement is important. One study indicated that greater primary care involvement at the end of life contributes to improved outcomes and lower Medicare costs for patients in their final years. PCPs can help patients and their families to express their goals of care and end of life plans. It is especially important to discuss resuscitation preferences and hospice early, before patients and families are faced in crisis with having to make those decisions. It might be beneficial to collaborate with other members of the treatment care team to ensure that this support is provided.

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