Authors : S Sandhya; G K Manasaa; G Senthil Kumaran

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 8 - August

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/228z96fp

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/34ewtwj4

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24AUG1116

Abstract : The necessity for equitable access to palliative care in Tamil Nadu, where approximately 7 lakh patients require such services annually, remains pressing. Despite the availability of advanced medical technologies and highly qualified specialists, only a small fraction of patients receive the required palliative care due to financial and systemic barriers. This article explores the economic implications of palliative care, highlighting the exorbitant costs associated with allopathic treatments and the ethical challenges faced by clinicians. It also underscores the financial viability of integrating homoeopathic remedies into palliative care, given their significantly lower costs and fewer side effects. A comprehensive approach to palliative care that includes both conventional and homoeopathic medicine is proposed to improve accessibility and affordability. The article recommends a multidisciplinary strategy, emphasizing partnerships between public and private sectors, expanded health insurance coverage, community and family support, and enhanced training and education for healthcare professionals. Additionally, it calls for increased public awareness and ongoing research to demonstrate the economic and clinical benefits of integrated palliative care models. The integration of homoeopathy is particularly emphasized as a cost-effective, patient-centered approach that can improve quality of life for patients. The article concludes with a call for systemic changes to implement inclusive, high-quality palliative care services throughout Tamil Nadu.

Keywords : Palliative Care, Integrated Approach, Economic Implications, Healthcare Partnerships, Health Insurance, Community Support, Awareness Campaigns, Homoeopathy.

References :

1. Bergman J, Laviana A. Opportunities to maximize value with integrated palliative care. JMDH 2016:219. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S90822.
2. Colas A, Danno K, Tabar C, Ehreth J, Duru G. Economic impact of homeopathic practice in general medicine in France. Health Econ Rev 2015;5:18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13561-015-0055-5.
3. Ghoshal A, Damani A, Salins N, Deodhar J, Muckaden M. Economics of palliative and end-of-life care in India: A concept paper. Indian J Palliat Care 2017;23:456. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPC.IJPC_51_17.
4. Hui D, Bruera E. Integrating palliative care into the trajectory of cancer care. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2016;13:159–71. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2015.201.
5. Kaasa S, Loge JH, Aapro M, Albreht T, Anderson R, Bruera E, et al. Integration of oncology and palliative care: a Lancet Oncology Commission. The Lancet Oncology 2018;19:e588–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30415-7.
6. Kamal AH, Currow DC, Ritchie CS, Bull J, Abernethy AP. Community-Based Palliative Care: The Natural Evolution for Palliative Care Delivery in the U.S. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2013;46:254–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2012.07.018.
7. Kayastha N, LeBlanc TW. When to Integrate Palliative Care in the Trajectory of Cancer Care. Curr Treat Options in Oncol 2020;21:41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-020-00743-x.
8. Klinger CA, Howell D, Marshall D, Zakus D, Brazil K, Deber RB. Resource utilization and cost analyses of home-based palliative care service provision: The Niagara West End-of-Life Shared-Care Project. Palliat Med 2013;27:115–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216311433475.
9. LeBlanc TW, El-Jawahri A. When and why should patients with hematologic malignancies see a palliative care specialist? Hematology 2015;2015:471–8. https://doi.org/10.1182/asheducation-2015.1.471.
10. Manchanda R, Kulhashreshtha M. Cost effectiveness and efficacy of homeopathy in primary health care units of the Government of Delhi – a study. AHZ 2005;250:s-2005-868641. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-868641.
11. Mathew C, Hsu AT, Prentice M, Lawlor P, Kyeremanteng K, Tanuseputro P, et al. Economic evaluations of palliative care models: A systematic review. Palliat Med 2020;34:69–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216319875906.
12. Meier DE, Back AL, Berman A, Block SD, Corrigan JM, Morrison RS. A National Strategy For Palliative Care. Health Affairs 2017;36:1265–73. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0164.
13. Parackal A, Ramamoorthi K, Tarride J-E. Economic Evaluation of Palliative Care Interventions: A Review of the Evolution of Methods From 2011 to 2019. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2022;39:108–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091211011138.
14. Ratcliff C, Thyle A, Duomai S, Manak M. Poverty reduction in India through palliative care: A pilot project. Indian J Palliat Care 2017;23:41. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1075.197943.
15. Sahlen K-G, Boman K, Brännström M. A cost-effectiveness study of person-centered integrated heart failure and palliative home care: Based on a randomized controlled trial. Palliat Med 2016;30:296–302. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216315618544.
16. Sharma P, Sharma B, Aggarwal T, Kalita M. Homoeopathic Treatment as an Add-On for Minimizing After Effects of Conventionally Treated Cancer Patients: A Simple Randomized Pilot Study—Protocol from Northeast India Perspective. ASJO 2021;07:105–13. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1730099.
17. Smith TJ, Temin S, Alesi ER, Abernethy AP, Balboni TA, Basch EM, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Provisional Clinical Opinion: The Integration of Palliative Care Into Standard Oncology Care. JCO 2012;30:880–7. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2011.38.5161