Cancer patient-centered home care: a new model for health care in oncology

Figures & data

Figure 1 Pillars of high quality of care.

Table 1 Principles of cancer patient-centered home care (CPCHC)

Oncologist-directed health care team Ongoing patient-physician relationships Coordinated and comprehensive care Evidence-based medicine (quality and safety) Patient and family education and empowerment Enhanced access Payment issues

Table 2 Key issues for a home anticancer treatment service

High-quality integrated services by a trained multidisciplinary team Accurate selection of patients and caregivers, who need to be trained Keep staff training up to date Measure outcomes for service evaluation Guide the team service to build clinical and patient confidence Adherence to medical care and safety procedures and use of evidence-based protocols Cooperation between health providers from various disciplines Strong communication networks in order to avoid care fragmentation Coordination between hospital chemotherapy service and home setting Ability of the service to flexibly respond to cancer patients’ needs Engage the expertise and experience of colleagues Survey patients for feedback on their choice and experience of home healthcare

Figure 2 Patient-centered care conceptual framework.

Table 3 Advantages of a home therapy care unit

Patients’ advantages: Improved symptom and medication management Improved medication adherence Optimized treatment outcomes through minimized or avoided treatment delays Improved quality of physical and spiritual aspects of life Enhanced psychosocial and caregiver support Reduced unnecessary emergency visits and hospitalizations Reduced length of hospital stay Reduction in waiting times Health providers’ advantages: Accurate monitoring of patient at home Provision of concise, accurate clinical updates Reinforcement of patient teaching done at office Reduction of calls to the office Reduction of malpractice claims Improvements in physician satisfaction