Towards integrated palliative care for cancer patients: A qualitative study of case management using the Chronic Care...

Although palliative care plays a vital role in improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their caregivers, its delivery often involves considerable complexity. Case management has been recommended as a systematic and collaborative approach. Understanding experiences and perceptions of case management in palliative cancer care can provide valuable insights for the development of coordinated, continuous, and patient-centered interventions.

A qualitative study was conducted based on the Chronic Care Model framework. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 40 participants, including patients, family caregivers, care providers, and policymakers in the field of cancer care. They were analyzed using the directed content analysis approach described by Hsieh and Shannon (2005) and coded using MAXQDA 10 software.

Analysis of the interviews guided by the Chronic Care Model components yielded six main categories comprising 16 subcategories: community policies and resources; self-management support; decision support; delivery system design; clinical information systems; and healthcare organizations.

The findings indicate that all Chronic Care Model components are essential for a 'palliative care case management' framework. This study provides a conceptual extension of the Chronic Care Model and can be used as a sound reference for the development of cancer-related policies and interventions in the healthcare system.