Community-Based Palliative Care Improves Outcomes for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in BMC Primary Care has found that community-based palliative care integrated with primary health care (PHC) can lead to improved outcomes for terminally ill cancer patients. Researchers at Lorestan University of Medical Sciences conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 120 cancer patients in Khorramabad, Iran, and found that patients who received PHC-integrated community-based palliative support experienced significant improvements in physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, conducted by researchers at Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, aimed to determine the impact of community-based palliative care integrated with PHC on outcomes of terminally ill cancer patients.
  • A total of 120 cancer patients in Khorramabad, Iran, were randomly allocated to either an intervention group receiving PHC-integrated community-based palliative support or a control group receiving routine healthcare programs.
  • The intervention group showed significant improvements in physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being, as measured by the Palliative Care Outcome Scale.
  • The study suggests that community-based palliative care integrated into the PHC structure could positively affect all aspects of palliative care.
  • The researchers recommend that policymakers create conditions where cancer patients can receive care through the PHC structure.
  • The study highlights the importance of further research to designate the strengths and weaknesses of this care approach.

Statistics:

  • 120 cancer patients were enrolled in the study.
  • The intervention group received PHC-integrated community-based palliative support for two months.
  • The study used the Palliative Care Outcome Scale to measure outcomes before and two months after the intervention.
  • The mean scores of all dimensions of palliative outcomes improved after the intervention in the experimental group (p
  • The study found statistically significant improvements in palliative outcomes after the intervention (p

Sources:

- The effect of community-based palliative supportive care integrated with primary health care (PHC) on the outcomes of terminally ill cancer patients. BMC Primary Care, 2025,26(1):1-10.

- Lorestan University of Medical Sciences

- https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02831-z