Patient centric integrative supportive care model at a tertiary cancer care center of India

Abstract

Palliative care is emerging as a recognized and needed branch all over the country. Integration of palliative care with oncology enhances patient’s quality of life, decreases suffering and depression, ensures good end of life care, better patient’s satisfaction, and decreases cost by avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy or ventilator support. The aim of this narrative analysis is to provide a truly integrated supportive model of palliative care practiced at DR BRA IRCH, AIIMS, Delhi, a tertiary cancer care center in India. It consists of inpatient and outpatient services with round the clock consultation teams. Integration of palliative care with other oncology has helped us in providing holistic and comprehensive care to the patients. We aim that this model might help in creating patient centric comprehensive care model in various other cancer centers with limited resources.