The effect of homecare team visits in terminal cancer patients: Role of health teams reaching patients homes

Abstract

Aim: The study has been conducted to see the effectiveness of homecare teams visit in terminal cancer patients (palliative care). Materials and Methods: The study basically utilized the effectiveness of the Cansupport's functioning. Cansupport is unique in its organization and function. It is the first organization in India that started the homecare visits for the terminal cancer patients. It has its headquarter with the administrative staff and a helpline that is officially active for about 8 hours a day for 5 days a week. The organization also has 10 homecare teams who are involved in the home visit. They have recently had an added support of community network officials. Each homecare team has a doctor, a nurse, and a counselor. Result: The total number of patients visited by the homecare teams of Cansupport in the year 2008-2009 was 1025. Total 104 patients were discharged. Out of 798 admissions last year, 384 patients were from IRCH (AIIMS). The helpline had 333 patients and others were just 81. Generally the team had to travel about 50-150 km a day. The number of visits range from four to seven per day. Generally the first visit of the team usually takes 90-120 min as the team takes time to understand the patient. The subsequent visits usually take 30-45 min. Usually, such patients stay with the team for a period of 1-2 months and then expire. Some patients stay with the team for 1-7 days. Conclusion: The eagerness of patients wanting the teams to reach their residence may be judged by the given figures. The total number of patients visited by the homecare teams of Cansupport in the year 2008-2009 was 1025. Out of them, there were about 104 patients who were discharged. The term discharge means that the patients were not interested in our visit or were not available in our subsequent visit. It has to be mentioned here that the service is a definite demand by society provided that the cost may be catered too.