Ways of Managing Palliative Care Needs of Adult Cancer Patients at Home in the Context of Pakistan: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Sufferings of the terminal stage, adult cancer patients can be alleviated through palliative care. Such patients prefer getting palliative care at home. Aims: The objective of this study was to discover the ways by which palliative care needs of adult cancer patients are being managed at home, in the context of Pakistan. Methods: For this qualitative study, data has been collected from 24 participants (patients n=12, family members n=12) via semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Findings: The findings revealed that the palliative care needs of adult cancer patients are being met at home in four dimensions such as; physical, psychosocial, religious, and financial. Conclusion: Family members were found as the strongest support for adult cancer patients in order to meet their palliative care needs at home.