The innovation telehospice system in Taiwan: A home-based hospice care service application

Abstract

Cancer is one of the important health care issues and has been the major leading cause of mortality in Taiwan. Hospice care is another medical option other than the curative treatments for terminal cancer patients. It promotes patient/family-centered care that is palliative, holistic and interdisciplinary. About 60 % of cancer patients preferred that home as the place of death. One of the major approaches of hospice care is to allow the terminal cancer patient to remain at home as long as possible, and using the hospital based care when the situation is absolutely necessary. The fear of not having enough support networks in the skills and knowledge of care at home is one of the most common reasons for terminal cancer patient with stable condition who refused discharge from hospital in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to apply the telehospice system for the home-based telehospice care. The system had integrated electronic medical records, information network communication and biosensor technology together. The study provided the innovation telehospice application which replaced the traditional home care but allowed the terminal cancer patients and their caregivers to receive additional support through this innovation service. The results indicated that the home based telehospice application did add some benefits to the patients and families who participated in this study. ? 2013 Springer Science+Business Media.