435P - Telephonic communication in palliative care for better management of terminal cancer patients in rural India: An NGO based approach

Background

Due to financial incapability and absence of manpower poor families often fail to carry their advanced cancer patients to the nodal centres. This pilot study will explore whether communication by mobile phone can lessen this burden.

Methods

Initially a plan was generated regarding management of an advanced cancer patient in a nodal centre at District Head Quarter. Subsequently every two week a trained social worker attached to nodal centre will follow up and give necessary advice and emotional support to the patients and their families through their registered mobile phone number. Patient’s family were also encouraged to communicate with the team by phone in case of fresh complain and urgency in between.

Results

Since last one year, 193 cancer patients were contacted by mobile phone every two weeks to enquire about their difficulties. In 76% of the situation trained social workers could give necessary advice by phone regarding management of their physical symptoms. Moreover, patient’s family were really overwhelmed by the emotional support offered by the team over phone. Only 24% of cancer patients has to attend the nodal centre for expert advice from Palliative Care specialists.

Conclusions

This novel approach helped:

 • In providing regular physical and emotional support to the patients and their families.

 • In significantly reducing the financial and manpower problems of carrying patients to the nodal units.

 • In improve the quality of life of patients by continuous guidance.

More and more team members can take help of this new strategy for better communication and uninterrupted care.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The author.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

The author has declared no conflicts of interest.