Home-based oncology care: Benefits, challenges, and future directions

Resumo

Home-based oncology treatment is transforming cancer care by providing an effective alternative to traditional hospital-based approaches, focusing on patient comfort, personalized care, and improved adherence to treatment plans. Research demonstrates that home-based programs enhance the quality of life for cancer patients by allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings, reducing stress, and promoting better overall well-being. Studies like those by Bordonaro et al. (2014) and Cool et al. (2021) show significant improvements in physical functioning, symptom management, and patient satisfaction, while also highlighting that fewer hospital visits and more personalized care contribute to better adherence to prescribed treatments. However, the effectiveness of these programs is influenced by the specific components and methods of delivery. For instance, while the "Active Home Care" initiative reported positive outcomes in quality of life and adherence, the "Cancer Home-Life Intervention" did not achieve substantial improvements, suggesting a need for more tailored interventions. Home-based multidimensional survivorship programs offer short-term benefits but have uncertain long-term impacts, indicating a need for further investigation. Additionally, the review by Hwang et al. (2023) shows that home-based supportive care (HbSC) programs can improve quality of life, particularly in social and emotional functioning, but their effectiveness varies depending on program components. Despite these benefits, challenges such as the need for adequate home infrastructure, caregiver training, and strong coordination among healthcare professionals persist. Effective communication and rigorous monitoring are crucial to overcoming these obstacles and ensuring the quality and safety of care. Overall, while home-based oncology treatments hold great promise for enhancing patient outcomes, more research is needed to refine these interventions, assess their long-term effectiveness, and determine their cost-efficiency, ultimately optimizing their potential to benefit a wider range of cancer patients.