Opportunities

Opportunities to Further Advance Palliative Care in California

Although tremendous progress has been made in palliative care (PC), not all Californians have access to quality palliative care in 2023. Even without the precise data to comprehensively assess PC capacity, utilization, quality, or equitable access to and use of services, California’s palliative care field leaders and organizations are among the first to acknowledge there is significant work left to be done. For example, clinical capacity is insufficient in settings like nursing homes and outpatient clinics, as well as in certain geographies (e.g., rural areas). Moreover, nearly a third of California public hospitals lack access to at least a half-day outpatient palliative care clinic. Even where PC capacity exists, it does not reach all who could benefit from it.

Throughout the conversations undertaken for this project, many members of the palliative care movement remarked that the field of palliative care is at an inflection point in its growth. It is no longer in start-up mode, but not yet mature enough to be a universally accepted and integrated standard of care. Stakeholders stressed the importance of maintaining momentum at this critical point in the field’s development.

To this end, contributors highlighted eight opportunities to advance the field and even accelerate the field’s momentum. Specific actions were also identified for stakeholders to help advance these opportunities. Although many common themes emerged, the opportunities and actions highlighted in this report are not meant to be definitive or exhaustive, but rather serve as a starter for ongoing discussions about priorities, goals, and collaborative efforts toward common objectives.

The palliative care movement remains strong in California. By working together on these opportunities, stakeholders can maintain momentum, sustain hard-won gains, accelerate palliative care’s growth, and ensure that all Californians have access to quality PC.