Palliative Care in Improving Quality of Life and Symptoms in Patients With Stage III-IV Pancreatic or Ovarian Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Test the effects of a concurrent palliative care planning intervention (PCPI) on overall quality of life (QOL) and symptom burden. II. Test the effects of a concurrent PCPI on anxiety and depression. III. Test the effects of a concurrent PCPI on overall survival. IV. Test the effects of a concurrent PCPI on health care resource use. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients undergo a comprehensive physical, psychological, social, and spiritual palliative care assessment. Patients also receive a workbook that covers physical and psychological well-being and social and spiritual well-being, delivered over 2 educational sessions. ARM II: Patients receive standard care plus attention comprising two telephone contacts. After completion of study, patients are followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months.