title: Survey of the provision of supportive care services at National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this survey was to determine the scope of supportive care services (SCS) designed to promote quality of life during cancer therapies at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was mailed to the medical directors and nursing directors of 52 NCI-designated comprehensive (n = 26), clinical (n = 11), and planning cancer centers (n = 15) in the United States. Only one survey was completed from each institution. Survey questions identified services provided such as pain management, terminal care, psychosocial programs, and spiritual care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine questionnaires were received for a total response rate of 75%. Of the respondents, 45% were comprehensive cancer centers, 24% clinical cancer centers, and 29% planning centers. One center did not identify their NCI designation. Sixty-one percent of the centers reported research programs in supportive care. Outside funding was reported in 51% of the respondents, with 39% having American Cancer Society (ACS) or National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and 28% having private industry funding. Overall SCS self-ratings improved from a 21% rating of excellent to very good 5 years ago to the current 54% rating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survey results provide data on SCS across a representative sample of NCI cancer centers and can be used to develop standards for future cancer control programs.
authors.affiliation: City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Coluzzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Doroshow
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rhiner
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ferrell
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rivera
mesh_terms: D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D006801:Humans; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care; D014481:United States