Development and protocol for a nurse-led telephonic palliative care program.

ABSTRACT Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a profound transformation of health care delivery toward telemedicine models. Purpose We present the structure of a nurse-led telephonic palliative program and operational metrics to influence further development of tele-palliative programs. Methods The nurses engage with seriously ill patients for 6 months with the goal of discussing advance care planning (ACP) and addressing self-identified issues related to their illness. Findings Of the first 100 program graduates, 78% were actively engaged and 51% named a health care agent and/or engaged in ACP. Of the 18 patients who died during the study, 13 (72%) were enrolled in hospice services. Discussion Our preliminary results indicate that seriously ill patients are willing to engage with nurses and to participate with discussions on ACP. Conclusion Given the gaps in health care exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this innovative program serves as an important model for bringing palliative care directly to patients.