Table 2.
Details of the teleconsultations
| Characteristics of the calls | Number of patients |
|---|---|
| Number of calls | Number of patients (total=314) |
| Audio calls only | 63 |
| Audio + text | 167 |
| Audio + text+ visual | 84 |
| Timing of calls | Number of patients (total=314) |
| 6 A.M-10 A.M | 48 |
| 10 A.M-2 P.M | 118 |
| 2 P.M-6 P.M | 99 |
| 6 P.M-10 P.M | 36 |
| 10 P.M-6 A.M | 13 |
| Total duration of calls (min) | Number of patients (total=314) |
| <5 min | 71 |
| 5-10 min | 62 |
| 10-15 min | 124 |
| >15 min | 57 |
| Reason of call | Number of patients (total=314) |
| Symptom management | 157 |
| Pain | 98 |
| Dyspnea | 36 |
| Nausea and vomiting | 8 |
| Constipation | 10 |
| Others | 5 |
| Queries regarding oncological treatment from other departments | 71 |
| Restocking of opioids | 86 |
| Severity of symptoms | Number of patients (total=157) |
| <4/10 | 32 |
| 4-6/10 | 97 |
| >7/10 | 28 |
| Major barrier to avail the hospital service | Number of patients (total=314) |
| Sealing of borders | 124 |
| Patient is terminal | 88 |
| No social support to accompany | 31 |
| Afraid to come to hospital for fear of infection | 71 |
| What was advised at the end? | Number of patients (total=314) |
| Prescribed for oral titration of opioids | 109 |
| Prescribed oral medications for symptom management | 20 |
| Referred to the emergency of a nearby hospital in the locality for symptom management | 22 |
| Home visit by community based palliative care team with contact details suggested | 22 |
| Information of an alternative palliative care unit at the native state with contact details shared to procure opioids | 55 |
| Scheduled for our OPD visit for procurement of opioids | 12 |
| Contact details of other departments given | 71 |
| Monitored end of life care | 3 |
OPD: Outdoor patient department