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Palliative Care Champions  

The SGO Palliative Care Subcommittee is committed to advancing awareness, education, and the integration of palliative care across the gynecologic oncology field. The subcommittee supports healthcare practitioners in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care that meets the physical, emotional, and quality-of-life needs of individuals living with serious illness. 

Explore this page to understand the vital role palliative care plays across the cancer care continuum. Find resources, see the impact of palliative care champions, and learn how to join their efforts to improve patient outcomes and elevate the standard of care.

What is a Palliative Care Champion?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with serious illnesses. It focuses on relieving symptoms and reducing the stress associated with these conditions—regardless of the diagnosis. The primary goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family. 

“A palliative care Champion is a clinician who has been trained to skillfully and in a timely way assess and manage palliative care needs, and who supports his or her team…to learn and use these skills as standard of practice. Similar to a consultation specialist with additional training and potentially board certification, the palliative care champion brings a spirit of collaboration and a focus on quality of life to the team of clinicians caring for a patient with serious illness.” Source 

The need for palliative care is growing rapidly as more patients face complex, serious illnesses that require specialized support to manage symptoms, enhance quality of life, and navigate difficult diagnoses. However, the demand for these services continues to exceed the capacity of the current workforce. This widening gap highlights an urgent need for expanded training, workforce development, and the full integration of palliative care into all levels of healthcare delivery. 

Hear from Jackie Wall, MD, as she shares what it means to be a palliative care champion, and why this role is essential in improving the lives of patients with gynecologic cancers. 

 

 

The Role and Value of Palliative Care Champions in Gynecologic Oncology 

Palliative care champions play a vital role across multiple areas of gynecologic oncology, including surgical care, patient and family support, healthcare provider well-being, and overall health system effectiveness.

 

For Patients and Families: 

  • Reduced intensity of care at the end of life (EOL) 
  • More days spent in hospice care 
  • Better symptom management 
  • Higher satisfaction with care among both patients and families 
  • Improved quality of life (QOL) 
  • Potential for improved survival 

For Healthcare Providers: 

  • Increased job satisfaction 
  • Ability to maintain long-term relationships with patients through longitudinal care 

For the Health System: 

  • Significant cost savings 
  • More efficient use of healthcare resources 

Palliative Care in Surgery 

Surgical patients have distinct palliative care (PC) needs that require thoughtful integration throughout the surgical journey: 

  • Perioperative Decision-Making: PC can support complex decisions before and after surgery, including goals-of-care discussions and alignment of treatment plans with patient values (e.g., Schwartze model). 
  • Symptom Management: Effective pre- and post-operative symptom control improves patient comfort and outcomes. 
  • Palliative Surgical Procedures: Some surgeries may be done with palliative intent, such as relieving obstruction or managing pain, rather than curing disease. 
  • ICU Considerations: Surgical patients in intensive care settings often do not receive guideline-concordant palliative care, pointing to a gap in current practice (see Slide 16 for data). 

Persistent Obstacles in Palliative Care

  • Workforce Shortage: Limited availability of trained providers. 
  • Patient Barriers: Limited knowledge about PC, social determinants such as transportation, income, and family support. 
  • Provider Barriers: Lack of time, training, and resources, especially in non-academic or resource-limited settings. 

Hear from Lori Spoozak, MD, as she explains why palliative care is more essential than ever in today’s gynecologic cancer care. 

 

 

Resources to learn more about palliative care champions 

The SGO Palliative Care Committee has developed a robust set of resources to support you on this journey, including a comprehensive series of 15 educational modules. While the content is tailored primarily for trainees, it offers valuable insights and practical tools for healthcare providers at all levels and in all care settings. 

In addition to the modules, there is also curated collection of supplemental resources to further expand your knowledge, build confidence, and strengthen your ability to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. These tools can help you become a stronger advocate for your patients and a leader in palliative care. 

SGO Palliative Care Modules  

Part 1

Part 2 

 

Additional Educational Resources 

https://chooseyourpath.vitaltalk.org/ 

https://pallcare.hms.harvard.edu/courses/pcep 

https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/journals/rise/articles/surgical-palliative-care/ 

 

Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship 

https://aahpm.org/career-resources/professionals-in-training/ 

Center to Advance Palliative Care