Assessing symptom control in palliative home care

Control of symptoms in cancer patients on a home care program was studied, to identify problems related to caring for these patients at home. The study was based on independent physician assessments of patients' medical charts, as well as interviews with the home care providers. The results showed problems in control of pain, nausea and constipation; the causes were less than optimal care and non-compliance. There is an urgent need to improve palliative care to home care patients and to provide better, more frequent reassessment of patients with uncontrolled symptoms.