CONTEXT:
A notable gap in the evidence base for palliative care (PC) for cancer is that most trials were conducted in specialized centers with limited translation and further evaluation in "real-world" settings. Health systems are desperate for guidance on effective, scalable models.

OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a nurse-led PC intervention for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and their family caregivers (FCGs) in a community-based setting.

METHODS:
Two-group, sequential, quasi-experimental design with Phase 1 (usual care [UC]) followed by Phase 2 (intervention) was conducted at three Kaiser Permanente Southern California sites. Participants included patients with Stage 2-4 non-small-cell lung cancer and their FCG. Standard measures of quality of life (QOL) included Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spirituality Subscale, City of Hope Family QOL; other outcomes were distress, health care utilization, caregiver preparedness, and burden.

RESULTS:
Patients in the intervention cohort had significant improvements in three (physical, emotional, and functional well-being) of the five QOL domains at one month that were sustained through three month compared to UC (P < 0.01). Caregivers in the intervention cohort had improvements in physical (P = 0.04) and spiritual well-being (P = 0.03) and preparedness (P = 0.04) compared to UC. There were no differences in distress or health care utilization between cohorts.