The impact of the early introduction of palliative care on patient's functioning.

(1) After controlling for other factors that could explain patient functioning, the researchers found that each additional palliative care visit during the first month of follow-up increases patient functioning. (2) Patient functioning, as measured at the initial visit, is a far stronger predictor of subsequent functioning than are additional palliative care visits. (3) While palliative care may increase patient functioning, initial patient functioning likely limits what may be achieved in an absolute sense.