[Home care support by telephone consultation service at a palliative care unit]

Since the condition of a cancer patient in the terminal phase changes every day, it is difficult for patients at home to maintain stability unless symptom management and a support system are available. In order to reduce the anxiety of these patients and their families during this period and to support meaningful home care, a telephone consultation service of telephone calls from the Palliative Care Unit (PCU) was begun in October 1994. At this point, telephone calls have been made to 515 patients. The status of the telephone service last year (January to December 1999) is summarized herein. 1. Since patients and their families can contact the PCU at any time, they feel more secure. 2. Since patients and their families are telephoned from the PCU, they do not hesitate to consult the physician or nurse calling. 3. Physicians and nurses can ascertain a patient's condition and problems and cope with these aspects in a timely manner. 4. As a result, patients and their families can spend the time remaining in the patient's life with fewer symptoms suffered by the patient. In conclusion, this telephone consultation service has become an important system as part of the outpatient support system.