Healthcare professionals' experiences with home-based treatment in cancer care

Advancements in treatment modalities have increased the focus on home-based care, enabling the administration of various subcutaneous and intravenous treatments at home. Although such models are being expanded, the implementation varies and evidence on healthcare professionals' (HCPs') experiences remains limited. This study aimed to explore nurses' and physicians' perspectives on home-based cancer treatment to identify opportunities and challenges in its organisation and delivery.

A qualitative design was employed, with five focus group interviews conducted in the haematology and oncology departments of two university hospitals in Denmark. In total, 22 HCPs participated (12 nurses, 10 physicians). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Five themes were identified: (1) clinical intuition navigates decisions regarding home-based treatment, (2) the balance between enhanced patient empowerment and reduced patient contact, (3) training is a prerequisite for safe and confident self-management, (4) improved cross-sector and national collaboration increases standardisation of practice, and (5) culture as a driver for expanding home-based treatment.

Home-based cancer treatment is perceived as meaningful and necessary but requires new approaches to assessing patients' capabilities, increased focus on patient training and patients' needs and enhanced cross-sector and national collaboration and standardisation. National guidelines and systematic monitoring are considered essential to ensure safe, consistent and equitable access to home-based cancer treatment.