Early Palliative Referral Improves End-of-Life Care Regardless of Visit Frequency

Managing metastatic solid tumors requires a complex balance of systemic therapy, symptom control, and long-term planning to maintain quality of life [1, 2]. While clinical guidelines recommend early integration of supportive services, many patients still experience high symptom burdens and frequent acute care utilization near the end of life [3, 4]. Barriers such as socioeconomic status and varying disease trajectories often complicate the standardized delivery of these services [5, 6]. The optimal model for providing this care remains a subject of active clinical debate, as some investigations into nurse-led primary palliative care have shown no significant difference in quality of life or symptom burden compared to standard care [7]. Other evidence suggests that referral timing may be more influential than visit intensity for improving end-of-life outcomes and reducing intensive care unit utilization [8]. A recent retrospective analysis clarifies the factors driving these referral patterns and their direct impact on terminal care metrics, offering practical guidance for oncology clinics.