Early Palliative Care for Patients with Oral Cancer in Sri Lanka

The early palliative care intervention package was developed following the guidelines provided by the UK Medical Research Council for the development of complex interventions. The early palliative care intervention for patients with oral cancer had six components: 1) providing information, 2) addressing acute and functional issues, 3) nutritional care, 4) psychological support, 5) mindfulness therapy, and 6) coordination of the financial allowance. The package was formulated by triangulating literature review findings and several independent studies: a case-control study; in-depth interviews with experts in the field of oncology and palliative care in Sri Lanka; key-informant interviews with patients with oral cancer and their caregivers; and an observation study at the National Cancer Institute Sri Lanka- Apeksha Hospital). The intervention package was finalized through a