"When I Heard the Word Palliative": Obscuring and Clarifying Factors Affecting the Stigma Around Palliative Care Referral in Oncology.

To reduce the stigmatizing association of PC with end of life, referring clinicians should clearly communicate prognosis, PC's role, and the reason for referral within the context of each patient and his or her unique cancer trajectory. The oncology team plays a vital role in framing the messaging surrounding referrals to PC.