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Last Name
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J. Andrew Billings, M.D.

TitleAssociate Professor of Medicine
InstitutionMassachusetts General Hospital
DepartmentMedicine
Address11 1/2 Hilliard Street
Cambridge MA 02138
Phone617/876-8106
Fax2679357924

 Biography 
 awards and honors
1995 - Soros Faculty Scholar
1996 - Award for Meritorious Service
2000 - Epstein Rosenthal Memorial Fund Lectureship
2003 - Textbooks in End-of-Life Care Project (for outstanding chapter in palliative care)
2004 - Best Social Medicine Instructor nominee
2006 - Project on Death in America Palliative Medicine Leadership Award

 Overview 
 overview
Major Research Interests:

1. Care of terminally ill persons and their families; hospice/palliative care; control of pain and other symptoms of advanced cancer and other terminal conditions; supportive psychosocial care of the patient and family, especially in the home; voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide

2. Education and research for end-of-life care; faculty development programs; education for pain assessment and management; fellowship training

3. Evaluation and teaching of the clinical interview in ambulatory care; doctors' explanations to their patients; the doctor-patient relationship in ambulatory care


 Bibliographic 
 selected publications
Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
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  1. Billings JA. Advance care planning safeguards. J Gen Intern Med. 2012 Nov; 27(11):1405.
    View in: PubMed
  2. Strada EA, Homel P, Tennstedt S, Billings JA, Portenoy RK. Spiritual well-being in patients with advanced heart and lung disease. Palliat Support Care. 2012 Jul 30; 1-9.
    View in: PubMed
  3. Strand JJ, Billings JA. Integrating palliative care in the intensive care unit. J Support Oncol. 2012 Sep-Oct; 10(5):180-7.
    View in: PubMed
  4. Steventon A, Bardsley M, Billings J, Dixon J, Doll H, Hirani S, Cartwright M, Rixon L, Knapp M, Henderson C, Rogers A, Fitzpatrick R, Hendy J, Newman S. Effect of telehealth on use of secondary care and mortality: findings from the Whole System Demonstrator cluster randomised trial. BMJ. 2012; 344:e3874.
    View in: PubMed
  5. Billings JA, Churchill LR. Monolithic moral frameworks: how are the ethics of palliative sedation discussed in the clinical literature? J Palliat Med. 2012 Jun; 15(6):709-13.
    View in: PubMed
  6. Pantilat SZ, Kerr KM, Billings JA, Bruno KA, O'Riordan DL. Characteristics of palliative care consultation services in California hospitals. J Palliat Med. 2012 May; 15(5):555-60.
    View in: PubMed
  7. Bernacki RE, Ko DN, Higgins P, Whitlock SN, Cullinan A, Wilson R, Jackson V, Dahlin C, Abrahm J, Mort E, Scheer KN, Block S, Billings JA. Improving access to palliative care through an innovative quality improvement initiative: an opportunity for pay-for-performance. J Palliat Med. 2012 Feb; 15(2):192-9.
    View in: PubMed
  8. Billings JA. Humane terminal extubation reconsidered: the role for preemptive analgesia and sedation. Crit Care Med. 2012 Feb; 40(2):625-30.
    View in: PubMed
  9. Billings JA. The need for safeguards in advance care planning. J Gen Intern Med. 2012 May; 27(5):595-600.
    View in: PubMed
  10. Billings JA. The end-of-life family meeting in intensive care part II: Family-centered decision making. J Palliat Med. 2011 Sep; 14(9):1051-7.
    View in: PubMed
  11. Billings JA, Block SD. The end-of-life family meeting in intensive care part III: A guide for structured discussions. J Palliat Med. 2011 Sep; 14(9):1058-64.
    View in: PubMed
  12. Billings JA. The end-of-life family meeting in intensive care part I: Indications, outcomes, and family needs. J Palliat Med. 2011 Sep; 14(9):1042-50.
    View in: PubMed
  13. Pantilat SZ, Kerr KM, Billings JA, Bruno KA, O'Riordan DL. Palliative care services in California hospitals: program prevalence and hospital characteristics. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012 Jan; 43(1):39-46.
    View in: PubMed
  14. Billings JA. Terminal extubation of the alert patient. J Palliat Med. 2011 Jul; 14(7):800-1.
    View in: PubMed
  15. Billings JA, Krakauer EL. On patient autonomy and physician responsibility in end-of-life care. Arch Intern Med. 2011 May 9; 171(9):849-53.
    View in: PubMed
  16. Billings JA. Double effect: a useful rule that alone cannot justify hastening death. J Med Ethics. 2011 Jul; 37(7):437-40.
    View in: PubMed
  17. Jacobsen J, Jackson V, Dahlin C, Greer J, Perez-Cruz P, Billings JA, Pirl W, Temel J. Components of early outpatient palliative care consultation in patients with metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer. J Palliat Med. 2011 Apr; 14(4):459-64.
    View in: PubMed
  18. Jacobsen J, Robinson E, Jackson VA, Meigs JB, Billings JA. Development of a cognitive model for advance care planning discussions: results from a quality improvement initiative. J Palliat Med. 2011 Mar; 14(3):331-6.
    View in: PubMed
  19. Macauley R, Billings JA. Teaching small groups in palliative care. J Palliat Med. 2011 Jan; 14(1):91-5.
    View in: PubMed
  20. Temel JS, Greer JA, Muzikansky A, Gallagher ER, Admane S, Jackson VA, Dahlin CM, Blinderman CD, Jacobsen J, Pirl WF, Billings JA, Lynch TJ. Early palliative care for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. N Engl J Med. 2010 Aug 19; 363(8):733-42.
    View in: PubMed
  21. Billings JA, Churchill LR, Payne R. Severe brain injury and the subjective life. Hastings Cent Rep. 2010 May-Jun; 40(3):17-21.
    View in: PubMed
  22. Bruera E, Billings JA, Lupu D, Ritchie CS. AAHPM position paper: requirements for the successful development of academic palliative care programs. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2010 Apr; 39(4):743-55.
    View in: PubMed
  23. Billings JA. What really counts? Taking measure of measures. J Palliat Med. 2010 Feb; 13(2):105-6.
    View in: PubMed
  24. Levy MH, Back A, Benedetti C, Billings JA, Block S, Boston B, Bruera E, Dy S, Eberle C, Foley KM, Karver SB, Knight SJ, Misra S, Ritchie CS, Spiegel D, Sutton L, Urba S, Von Roenn JH, Weinstein SM. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: palliative care. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2009 Apr; 7(4):436-73.
    View in: PubMed
  25. Blinderman CD, Homel P, Billings JA, Tennstedt S, Portenoy RK. Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Jul; 38(1):115-23.
    View in: PubMed
  26. Billings JA, Blinderman CD. A satisfying, inexpensive but briefer hospital survival with palliative care. J Palliat Med. 2008 Nov; 11(9):1183.
    View in: PubMed
  27. Billings JA, Blinderman CD. Live longer or die happier and inexpensively? J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008 Sep; 56(9):1777; author reply 1777-8.
    View in: PubMed
  28. Temel JS, McCannon J, Greer JA, Jackson VA, Ostler P, Pirl WF, Lynch TJ, Billings JA. Aggressiveness of care in a prospective cohort of patients with advanced NSCLC. Cancer. 2008 Aug 15; 113(4):826-33.
    View in: PubMed
  29. Billings JA. Physician-nurse staffing on palliative care consultation services. J Palliat Med. 2008 Jul; 11(6):819-20.
    View in: PubMed
  30. Billings JA. Dignity. J Palliat Med. 2008 Mar; 11(2):138-9.
    View in: PubMed
  31. Blinderman CD, Homel P, Billings JA, Portenoy RK, Tennstedt SL. Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2008 Jun; 35(6):594-603.
    View in: PubMed
  32. Billings JA. A palliative care career. J Palliat Med. 2007 Dec; 10(6):1258-61.
    View in: PubMed
  33. Temel JS, Jackson VA, Billings JA, Dahlin C, Block SD, Buss MK, Ostler P, Fidias P, Muzikansky A, Greer JA, Pirl WF, Lynch TJ. Phase II study: integrated palliative care in newly diagnosed advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Jun 10; 25(17):2377-82.
    View in: PubMed
  34. Billings JA. A primer on training slots for graduate medical education. J Palliat Med. 2007 Feb; 10(1):12-6.
    View in: PubMed
  35. Marr L, Billings JA, Weissman DE. Spirituality training for palliative care fellows. J Palliat Med. 2007 Feb; 10(1):169-77.
    View in: PubMed
  36. Mularski RA, Curtis JR, Billings JA, Burt R, Byock I, Fuhrman C, Mosenthal AC, Medina J, Ray DE, Rubenfeld GD, Schneiderman LJ, Treece PD, Truog RD, Levy MM. Proposed quality measures for palliative care in the critically ill: a consensus from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Critical Care Workgroup. Crit Care Med. 2006 Nov; 34(11 Suppl):S404-11.
    View in: PubMed
  37. Billings JA, Keeley A, Bauman J, Cist A, Coakley E, Dahlin C, Montgomery P, Thompson BT, Wise M. Merging cultures: palliative care specialists in the medical intensive care unit. Crit Care Med. 2006 Nov; 34(11 Suppl):S388-93.
    View in: PubMed
  38. Sullivan AM, Lakoma MD, Billings JA, Peters AS, Block SD. Creating enduring change: demonstrating the long-term impact of a faculty development program in palliative care. J Gen Intern Med. 2006 Sep; 21(9):907-14.
    View in: PubMed
  39. Levy MH, Back A, Bazargan S, Benedetti C, Billings JA, Block S, Bruera E, Carducci MA, Dy S, Eberle C, Foley KM, Harris JD, Knight SJ, Milch R, Rhiner M, Slatkin NE, Spiegel D, Sutton L, Urba S, Von Roenn JH, Weinstein SM. Palliative care. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2006 Sep; 4(8):776-818.
    View in: PubMed
  40. Billings JA. The Lake Bluff Forum for academic palliative medicine. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2006 Jun; 31(6):481.
    View in: PubMed
  41. Temel JS, Jackson VA, Billings A, Prigerson HF, Fidias P, Lynch TJ, Pirl W. The effect of depression on survival in patients with newly diagnosed advanced non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). J Clin Oncol. 2006; 24(18a):8511.
  42. Carmody S, Meier D, Billings JA, Weissman DE, Arnold RM. Training of palliative medicine fellows: a report from the field. J Palliat Med. 2005 Oct; 8(5):1005-15.
    View in: PubMed
  43. Block SD, Billings JA. Learning from the dying. N Engl J Med. 2005 Sep 29; 353(13):1313-5.
    View in: PubMed
  44. Sullivan AM, Lakoma MD, Billings JA, Peters AS, Block SD. Teaching and learning end-of-life care: evaluation of a faculty development program in palliative care. Acad Med. 2005 Jul; 80(7):657-68.
    View in: PubMed
  45. Temel JS, Billings JA, Jackson VA, Reid C, Dahlin CM, Kornblith AB, Buss MK, Block SD, Pangiotis F, Lynch TJ. Early palliative care (PC) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is feasible. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 23(16s):Part I: 8070.
  46. Huertas PE, Billings JA. To hydrate or not to hydrate: is that the real question? J Support Oncol. 2004 Nov-Dec; 2(6):483-5.
    View in: PubMed
  47. Billings JA. Survey of palliative medicine fellowship programs, 2003-2005. J Palliat Med. 2004 Oct; 7(5):711-2.
    View in: PubMed
  48. Billings JA. Care of the dying patients and their families. Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 2004; 10-14.
  49. Billings JA. Care of the dying patient. Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 2004.
  50. Fromme E, Billings JA. Care of the dying doctor: on the other end of the stethoscope. JAMA. 2003 Oct 15; 290(15):2048-55.
    View in: PubMed
  51. Billings J. Management matters: strengthening the research base to help improve performance of safety net providers. Health Care Manage Rev. 2003 Oct-Dec; 28(4):323-34.
    View in: PubMed
  52. Billings JA, Dahlin C, Dungan S, Greenberg D, Krakauer EL, Lawless N, Montgomery P, Reid C. Psychosocial training in a palliative care fellowship. J Palliat Med. 2003 Jun; 6(3):355-63.
    View in: PubMed
  53. Pantilat SZ, Billings JA. Prevalence and structure of palliative care services in California hospitals. Arch Intern Med. 2003 May 12; 163(9):1084-8.
    View in: PubMed
  54. Billings JA. Definitions and standards. Berger AM, Portenoy RK, Weisman DE, eds. Principles and Practice of Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology. 2003; 635-46.
  55. Billings JA, Dahlin CD, Putnam A. Palliative medicine. Ballantyne J, Fishman SM, Abdi S, eds. The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Pain Management. 2003.
  56. Billilngs JA. Definitions and standards. Berger AM, Portenoy RK, Weisman DE, eds. Principles and Practice of Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology. 2003; 635-46.
  57. Billings JA. From the USA. Palliative Med. 2003; 17:104-5.
  58. Choi YS, Billings JA. Opioid antagonists: a review of their role in palliative care, focusing on use in opioid-related constipation. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2002 Jul; 24(1):71-90.
    View in: PubMed
  59. Billings JA, Gardner M, Putnam AT. A one-day, hospital-wide survey of dying inpatients. J Palliat Med. 2002 Jun; 5(3):363-74.
    View in: PubMed
  60. Billings JA. Vicissitudes of the clinician-patient relationship in end-of-life care: recognizing the role for teams. J Palliat Med. 2002 Apr; 5(2):295-9.
    View in: PubMed
  61. Choi YS, Billings JA. Changing perspectives on palliative care. Oncology (Williston Park). 2002 Apr; 16(4):515-22; discussion 522-7.
    View in: PubMed
  62. Billings JA, Block SD, Finn JW, LeGrand SB, Lupu D, Munger B, Schonwetter RS, von Gunten CF. Initial voluntary program standards for fellowship training in palliative medicine. J Palliat Med. 2002 Feb; 5(1):23-33.
    View in: PubMed
  63. Putnam A, billings JA. Palliative medicine. Ballantyne J, Fishman SM, Abdi S, eds. The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Pain Management. 2002; 479-92.
  64. Quijada E, billings JA. Pharmacologic management of delirium: update on newer agents. Fast Facts #60. End-of-Life Physician Education Resource Center. 2002.
  65. Gordon JA, Billings J, Asplin BR, Rhodes KV. Safety net research in emergency medicine: proceedings of the Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference on "The Unraveling Safety Net". Acad Emerg Med. 2001 Nov; 8(11):1024-9.
    View in: PubMed
  66. Billings JA, Pantilat S. Survey of palliative care programs in United States teaching hospitals. J Palliat Med. 2001; 4(3):309-14.
    View in: PubMed
  67. Block SD, Billings JA. Controlled sedation for refractory symptoms. American Society of Clinical Oncology Optimizing Cancer Care - The Importance of Symptom Management. 2001.
  68. Billings JA, Ferris FD, Macdonald N, Von Gunten C. The role of palliative care in the home in medical education: report from a national consensus Conference. J Palliat Med. 2001; 4(3):361-71.
    View in: PubMed
  69. Billings JA. Recent advances: palliative care. BMJ. 2000 Sep 2; 321(7260):555-8.
    View in: PubMed
  70. Billings JA, Borsook D, Edwards A, Pittman T, Young H. What You Need to Know About Pain. A Guide for Patients and Families. 2000.
  71. King L, Billings JA. Management of chronic cancer pain. Goroll A, Mulley A, eds. Primary Care Medicine. 2000; 576-83.
  72. Billings JA. Palliative medicine fellowship programs in the United States: year 2000 survey. J Palliat Med. 2000; 3(4):391-6.
    View in: PubMed
  73. Billings JA. Massachusetts General Hospital Palliative Care Service. Pioneer Programs in Palliative Care: Nine Case Studies. 2000; 73-91.
  74. Billings JA, Stoeckle JD. The Clilnical Encounter. A Guide to the Medical Interview and Case Presentation. 1999.
  75. Billings JA, Kolton E. Family satisfaction and bereavement care following death in the hospital. J Palliat Med. 1999; 2(1):33-49.
    View in: PubMed
  76. Block S, Billings JA. Nurturing humanism through teaching palliative care. Acad Med. 1998 Jul; 73(7):763-5.
    View in: PubMed
  77. Quill TE, Meier DE, Block SD, Billings JA. The debate over physician-assisted suicide: empirical data and convergent views. Ann Intern Med. 1998 Apr 1; 128(7):552-8.
    View in: PubMed
  78. Billings JA. The hospice medicare benefit: an appraisal at 15 years-introduction to a series. J Palliat Med. 1998; 1(2):123-5.
    View in: PubMed
  79. Block SD, Billings JA. Patient requests for assisted suicide and euthanasia: The role of the Psychiatrist. Steinberg MD, Youngner S, eds. End of Life Decisions: the Psychosocial Perspective. 1998; 205-34.
  80. Billings JA. Dehydration. Berger A, Portenoy RK, Weissman DE, eds. Principles and Practice of Supportive Oncology. 1998; 47-54.
  81. Ferris TG, Hallward JA, Ronan L, Billings JA. When the patient dies: a survey of medical housestaff about care after death. J Palliat Med. 1998; 1(3):231-9.
    View in: PubMed
  82. Billings JA. What is palliative care? J Palliat Med. 1998; 1(1):73-81.
    View in: PubMed
  83. Billings JA. Palliative medicine education. Appendix: United States. Doyle D, Hanks GWC, MacDonald N. Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. 1998; 1190-91.
  84. Billings JA. Palliative care: definitions and controversy. Principles & Practice of Supportive Oncology Updates. 1998; 1(1):1-10.
  85. Quill TE, Billings JA. Palliative care textbooks come of age. Ann Intern Med. 1998; 129:590-94.
  86. Billings JA, Block S. Palliative care in undergraduate medical education. Status report and future directions. JAMA. 1997 Sep 3; 278(9):733-8.
    View in: PubMed
  87. Block SD, Billings JA. Psychiatry and assisted suicide. Harvard Mental Health Letter. 1997; 14(4):5-7.
  88. Block SD, Billings JA Peterson L. My patients, my self: students learn from patients facing death. Harvard Medical Alumni Bulletin. 1997; 70:37-42.
  89. Billings JA, Block SD. Slow euthanasia. J Palliat Care. 1996; 12(4):21-30.
    View in: PubMed
  90. Block SD, Billings JA. Patient requests for euthanasia and assisted suicide in terminal illness. The role of the psychiatrist. Psychosomatics. 1995 Sep-Oct; 36(5):445-57.
    View in: PubMed
  91. Billings JA. Depression. J Palliat Care. 1995; 11(1):48-54.
    View in: PubMed
  92. Block SD, Billings JA. Patient requests to hasten death. Evaluation and management in terminal care. Arch Intern Med. 1994 Sep 26; 154(18):2039-47.
    View in: PubMed
  93. Billings JA. Neuropathic pain. J Palliat Care. 1994; 10(4):40-3.
    View in: PubMed
  94. Billings JA. Anorexia. J Palliat Care. 1994; 10(1):51-3.
    View in: PubMed
  95. Billings JA. Book Review: How to break bad news. N Engl J Med. 1993; 329:815.
  96. Billings JA. Medical education for hospice care: a selected bibliography with brief annotations. Hosp J. 1993; 9(1):69-83.
    View in: PubMed
  97. Billings JA. Why doesn't your hospice program have a strong medical director? Caring. 1992 May; 11(5):30-2.
    View in: PubMed
  98. Billings JA. Thanatology education for the physician in the year 2001: The shape of things to come. Bulkin W, Kutcher AH, Brown WW, Kitchen AD, eds. Medical student education: Meeting the challenges of life-threatening illness, death and bereavement. 1992; 47-54.
  99. Billings JA. Home care for advanced cancer. Hospice & Hospice Care at Home (The 18th International Seminar, Life Planning Center). 1992; 90-111.
  100. Billings JA. Outpatient Management of Advanced Cancer. Symptom Control, Support and Hospice in the Home (Japanese adaptation and translation). 1991.
  101. Billings JA. How to decide when your agency needs a medical director. American Academy of Home Care Physicians Newsletter. 1991; 3(3):8.
  102. Billings JA. Specialized care of the terminally ill patient. DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 1989; 2237-44.
  103. Billings JA, Stoeckle JD. The Clinical Encounter. A Guide to the Medical Interview and Case Presentation. 1989.
  104. Stoeckle JD, Billings JA. A history of history-taking: the medical interview. J Gen Intern Med. 1987 Mar-Apr; 2(2):119-27.
    View in: PubMed
  105. Billings JA, Rubin F, Stoeckle JD. Home care. Calkins E, Davis PJ, Ford AB, eds. The Practice of Geriatrics. 1986; 108-114.
  106. Billings JA, Coles R, Reiser SJ, Stoeckle JD. A seminar in 'Plain Doctoring'. J Med Educ. 1985 Nov; 60(11):855-9.
    View in: PubMed
  107. Billings JA. Comfort measures for the terminally ill. Is dehydration painful? J Am Geriatr Soc. 1985 Nov; 33(11):808-10.
    View in: PubMed
  108. Billings JA. Outpatient Management of Advanced Cancer. Symptom Control, Support and Hospice-in-the-Home. 1985.
  109. Drew J, Stoeckle JD, Billings JA. Tips, status and sacrifice: gift giving in the doctor-patient relationship. Soc Sci Med. 1983; 17(7):399-404.
    View in: PubMed
  110. Billings JA, Stoeckle JD. The Clinical Encounter in Ambulatory Care. A Handbook for Medical Students, Introduction to Clinical Medicine. 1983.
  111. Billilngs JA. Book review: Home Care: living with dying. Soc Sci & Med. 1982; 16:1103-04.
  112. Billings JA. Audiovisual Reviews: Griffin and Phoenix. Death Education. 1981; 5:91-3.
  113. Greenbert DA, Billings JA, Reiser SR, Stoeckle JD. Introduction to the Clinical Interview. A Handbook for Optometry Students. 1981.
  114. Billings JA. Book review: Wholistic health. Soc Sci & Med. 1980; 14b:123-4.
  115. Billings JA. Pain control - an introduction for hospice volunteers. Omega Report. 1980; 1(3):4-6.
  116. Greenberg DA, Billings JA, Reiser S, Stoeckle JD. Introduction to the clinical interview: a course for optometry students. J Am Optom Assoc. 1979 Feb; 50(2):165-8.
    View in: PubMed
  117. Billings JA, Stoeckle JD. Pelvic examination instruction and the doctor-patient relationship. J Med Educ. 1977 Oct; 52(10):834-9.
    View in: PubMed
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