Effect of Home-Based Palliative Care on Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer

BackgroundThe implementation of home-based palliative care for patients with cancer aims to relieve suffering and improve quality of life, regardless of disease stage. However, outcomes of such interventions have been inconclusive.ObjectiveThis study investigated the effect of home-based palliative care on the quality of life in patients with cancer.Interventions/MethodsSix databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies up to June 9, 2024. Randomized trials involving patients with cancer receiving home-based palliative care were included. A forest plot was generated using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model.ResultsA total of 8 studies were included in the final analysis. Home-based palliative care appeared to enhance the quality of life of patients with cancer (pooled standard mean difference, 0.45 [95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.86]; P = .03).ConclusionHome-based palliative care improves the quality of life for patients with cancer. Further research with larger sample sizes and more rigorous methodologies is needed.Implication for practiceThe findings highlight the value of home-based palliative care as a model to address the needs of patients with cancer at home, improving their quality of life, similar to hospital-based care.