A qualitative study on the experience of internet outpatient consultation in palliative care for relatives of cancer patients

BackgroundThe palliative Internet-based outpatient service ensures seamless connectivity and equitable patient care; however, there is a lack of research on service quality, as well as the experiences and perceptions of patients' relatives. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives and experiences of patients' relatives when using the palliative Internet clinic.MethodsA qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 13 relatives of terminal cancer patients was conducted, and data were analyzed using content analysis.ResultsRelatives reported that they were capable of caring for the patients at home but experienced confusion and challenges in managing their symptoms and addressing their psychological issues. They expressed hope that Internet clinics would provide timely and effective professional guidance to families, easing caregiving burdens and enhancing the quality of home-based care.ConclusionsThis study highlights the potential of Internet-based palliative care to enhance the quality of home-based caregiving and reduce caregiver burden. In addition, Internet-based consultations as an alternative to face-to-face consultations offers an appropriate option in palliative care settings.