Supportive Care in Cancer

, Volume 14, Issue 10, pp 982–987 | Cite as

Bringing palliative care to a Canadian cancer center: the palliative care program at Princess Margaret Hospital

  • Camilla Zimmermann
  • Dori Seccareccia
  • Allyson Clarke
  • David Warr
  • Gary Rodin
Supportive Care International
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

It is increasingly recognized that complete care of the patient with cancer includes palliative care, which is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with life-prolonging treatment. Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) is Canada’s largest center for cancer care and research, and it is an international referral center for patients with cancer. The Palliative Care Program at PMH has developed into a comprehensive clinical, educational, and research program, with an acute palliative care unit, daily palliative care clinics, a cancer pain clinic, and a consultation service that sees urgent consultations on a same-day basis in inpatient and outpatient areas. We will describe the components, successes, and challenges of our program, which may be useful for others, who are developing palliative care programs in an academic setting.

Keywords

Palliative care Cancer Oncology Program development 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  • Camilla Zimmermann
    • 1
    • 2
  • Dori Seccareccia
    • 1
    • 3
  • Allyson Clarke
    • 1
  • David Warr
    • 2
    • 5
  • Gary Rodin
    • 1
    • 4
  1. 1.Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative CarePrincess Margaret HospitalTorontoCanada
  2. 2.Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
  3. 3.Department of Family MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
  4. 4.Department of PsychiatryUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
  5. 5.Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret HospitalUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada

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