A Pilot Study to Assess the Level of Satisfaction among Caretakers and Patients on Implementation of Home-Based Palliative Care at Ward 21 & 22 Kachery, Thrissur (Kerala)

Home-based palliative care is an essential nursing service aimed at improving comfort and quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses. A pilot project was undertaken to evaluate the level of satisfaction among caretakers and patient on implementation of home-based palliative care at a selected community in Thrissur (Kerala). This descriptive pilot study with a one-group post-test-only design was conducted among 7 palliative care patients and their caregivers selected through stratified sampling from wards 21 & 22 of Kachery, Thrissur. Palliative patients were identified using the Palliative Care Screening Tool (PCST). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising socio-demographic and clinical variables and a satisfaction scale covering physical, psychological, and supportive care domains. The study intervention included regular home visits providing comprehensive palliative care. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Majority (57.14%) among the patients were males, above 65 years (71.42%). More than half (57.14%) patients were partially dependent; the majority were conscious (57.14%); others were semiconscious (28.57%), and unconscious (14.28%). Majority of them (57.14%) were not registered with any palliative agency. All participants reported satisfaction with the homebased palliative care services in terms of emotional support, way of interaction and communication, feeling of comfort, quality of all basic care, prognosis, pain relieving measures, follow-up, referrals, and availability of needy resources to patient and improvement in knowledge and skill of caregivers. Palliative care is a practical choice for delivering top-notch palliative care in needy persons in underdeveloped nations by the health care institution with limited resources and financial constraints.