The scientific and clinical knowledge base of palliative medicine is eclectic. It is characterized by an interdisciplinary synthesis of knowledge ands skill. Recent advances in the management of cancer pain have been contributed by oncologists, neurologists, radiotherapists, nuclear medicine physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, surgeons, nurses, anaesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and palliative care physicians. Similarly, interdisciplinary synthesis is observed in the contemporary literature on the management of physical symptoms including dyspnoea, cough, fatigue, anorexia, nausea and vomiting and gastrointestinal or genitourinary luminal obstruction.

For the medical oncologist, an enhanced familiarity with palliative medicine can extend the clinician's therapeutic repertoire. These additional skills would reduce the stress of caring for patients who have incurable cancer, improve patient outcome, and provide new avenues for clinical research and reward. Palliative medicine is clinically and intellectually challenging. It is an interface among the disciplines of oncology, psychiatry, clinical ethics, and clinical pharmacology. It encourages and necessitates interdisciplinary practice. It has been suggested that increased knowledge and participation in palliative medicine may reduce the risk of burnout among medical oncologist.