Bhavya, a 48-year-old banker from Bengaluru, had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was
prescribed chemotherapy as a treatment. After the initial shock faded, Bhavya prepared herself mentally for chemotherapy. But once the therapy started, Bhavya started struggling with fatigue, nausea, and pain. She had to drag herself out of bed for some of the basic daily activities.
 

She found herself losing control over life the way she had known it. She had to visit hospital frequently for seeking treatment for her side effects.
 

Due to her struggle with side effects and the frequent hospital visits Bhavya developed an aversion towards clinical procedures.
 

This is not just Bhavya’s story. Many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy would be having similar experiences. While everybody experiences different kind of side effects after chemotherapy, the need for symptomatic relief often takes patients back to hospitals.
 

However, a specialized medical support can be enabled at home for such patients to help them deal with the symptoms, offer treatment, and reduce avoidable hospital visits. Here is a preview of what can be entailed as part of such specialized medical home care.
 

• Symptom & Side Effects Relief
   
  Patients often struggle with side effects of chemotherapy. In general, patients visit the hospital seeking relief for such side effects. In certain cases, the patients undergo hospital admission for side effects management. This is where specialized medical home care can pitch in.
   
  At Ubiqare, we assign a dedicated care doctor to each patient. This dedicated care doctor collaborates with the treating oncologist and offers symptomatic relief treatment to patient at home. The patient doesn’t need to be rushed to the hospital for side effects that can be managed at home by a clinical team led by a doctor.
   
  In 2019, a cohort study revealed that we were able to manage 96% of the symptoms and side effects at home and reduce avoidable hospital visits and readmissions for the patients.
   
  Here is a snapshot of how we offered symptomatic relief to Srinivasan and prevented 4 to 5 avoidable hospital visits as he went through his cancer journey.
   
• Stabilize Patient Vitals
   
  Chemo patients often experience fluctuations in their vitals after a session. However, they are required to recuperate and have their vitals stabilized before they can undergo the next session. This is where clinical support is needed.
   
  Our clinical team works with the patient to help them prepare physically for the next session. The patient’s vitals are monitored regularly and stabilized through clinical interventions and the Care Doctor helps address the side effects. Regular patient monitoring also reveals any early signs of distress that can be taken care of before the next session.
   
• Pain Management
   
  Many chemo patients complain of pain after their sessions. This pain can be of varying types and
  degrees. In some cases, this pain can impact the patient’s quality of life. We offer pain management support to such patients at home to make them comfortable.
   
  Our pain specialists design a personalized pain management plan for the patient to help improve their condition. The patient is then monitored for improvement and the necessary modifications are made to the plan.
   
  Pain relief can improve the patient’s physical and emotional condition and make them comfortable as they undergo the curative treatment.
   
  Here is a short story of Padma and how our pain management and side effects treatment helped her in her overall recovery.
   
• Onco-Skilled Nurse at Home
   
  Chemo patients often require support of skilled nurses for certain medical procedures that do not require hospitalization. Personal attendants or caretakers may not have the necessary knowledge and expertise to handle such scenarios. As a result, patients end up visiting hospitals for such procedures.
   
  We offer nurses that are skilled and trained in medical procedures needed by chemo patients. Such onco-skilled nurses visit the patient at home and perform the medical procedures (under doctor’s supervision if needed).
   

 
Cancer Care Support at Home
 
A cancer patient undergoes a very difficult struggle as they battle this illness. But along with the patient, the family members who are often the primary caregivers also suffer in silence. The emotional turmoil, physical stress, and the mental status of prioritizing patient’s needs and always being available for them can take its toll. Having a clinical team available to share some of the caregiving responsibilities so that the family caregiver can get some relief is very crucial.
 

Hence, we have designed our cancer care program to focus on not just the patient but also the family caregiver who needs support and break every once in a while.