Home-based Palliative Care for Patients with Terminal Cancer

Abstract

            Home-based palliative care for patients with terminal cancer is a crucial approach that aims to promote quality of life during the final stage of illness. By providing care in a familiar setting, it fosters a sense of psychological security and reduces anxiety. This type of care focuses on alleviating suffering through a combination of methods, such as holistic care, interdisciplinary teamwork, family-centered care, community support, and the integration of medical treatment with palliative care. In order for this approach to be truly effective, various management and support measures are crucial: offering education to families and communities to address misunderstandings about discontinuing treatment, enhancing communication skills among healthcare professionals in critical situations, distributing medical resources and equipment to remote areas, involving communities and local agencies, and establishing policies and health insurance systems that comprehensively support palliative care. These factors collectively facilitate improved patient outcomes, ease the burden on families, and reduce overcrowding in hospitals. However, there remain obstacles that warrant further attention, including resource allocation, access to services, telehealth infrastructure, support systems, and cooperation between the public and private sectors. By integrating efforts from multiple stakeholders and conducting continuous evaluations, home-based palliative care can more effectively achieve its goal of enhancing the quality of life for patients with terminal cancer.