Effective Management of Breathlessness in Advanced Cancer Patients With a Program-Based, Multidisciplinary Approach: The "SOB Program" in Hong Kong.

Background: Breathlessness is common in patients with advanced cancer. Using a multidisciplinary approach for relieving this challenging symptom was believed to be just a theory. The "SOB Program" was implemented in our institution in March 2013.

Measures: An audit of medical records before and after implementation of the "SOB Program" was performed to identify any changes in practice after implementation, specifically in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions.

Intervention: The "SOB Program" is a multidisciplinary service in our department, using both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for all patients with advanced cancer who have dyspnea.

Outcomes: There was a marked increase in the use of nonpharmacologic interventions after the "SOB Program" (26.86% preimplementation vs. 89.35% postimplementation). Patients joining the program also had satisfactory improvement in breathlessness.

Conclusions/lessons Learned: A multidisciplinary approach for breathlessness control is both feasible and practical. Similar services can be promoted in other palliative care centers.