Exploring the quality of life of palliative care patients: empirical evidence from India

PurposeThis research paper aims to study the achievement of the objectives set by the Government of Kerala through the Arogyakeralam Pain and Palliative Care project.Design/methodology/approachThe research paper delves into diverse facets of an individual’s well-being including medical, emotional, spiritual and social aspects, when confronted with an incurable and incapacitating disease through the intervention of the PPC project. This insightful study was conducted in the state of Kerala, India.FindingsThe analysis reveals that quality of life (QoL) is most influenced by spiritual, social and psychological factors. This paper raises pertinent questions about the effectiveness of PPC initiatives within the realm of medical care.Social implicationsThe thought, conception and preparation of the subject is on improving social health care by assessing the existing practices followed by the local governance. This, by far, would benefit millions by formulating appropriate policies for improving the QoL.Originality/valueThe Kerala model of health care has garnered global acclaim, standing shoulder to shoulder with the health systems of developed nations. Adopting “active total care” to address pain and allied indications, the Arogyakeralam palliative care program significantly enhances patients' QoL. The focus was to uplift the QoL of patients suffering from terminal illnesses post-pandemic.