Table 1 Overview of the components of the EPHECT intervention

Education of involved professionals of the palliative home care team

- Educational session of two hours for members of the PHC team consisting of group discussions, case studies and education on drug therapies and side effects

- Training for the PHC team in working with the intervention materials

Information of involved oncologists

- Involved oncologists are informed about the intervention and the role of the PHC team

General practitioner (GP) as coordinator of care

- GP were contacted by data nurse to give permission for introducing PHC to his/her patient

- GP then contacted the PHC team to plan the first visit

- GP is the central coordinator of care and communicates with the PHC team and oncologist

Regular home visits by the nurse of the palliative home care (PHC) team

- In-person home visits with patient and family caregiver

- Recommendation of minimum one home visit per month, but to be discussed with patient in first consultation

- Consultations supplemented with in-between telephone contacts if needed

Semi-structured home visits not only focusing on symptom management, but also on psychological and social care

- Semi-structured conversation guide used in home visits of the PHC team in which following topics are embedded:

o Understanding and perception of illness

o Routine symptom management (ESAS at each visit)

o Organization of care

o Coping mechanisms

o Quality of life of patient and family caregiver

o Preferences for future care

Interprofessional and transmural collaboration

- Collaboration and communication via telephone contacts

- Patients discussed by the PHC team during weekly meetings

- GP should be contacted after each home visit and if needed after weekly meeting

- If needed, GP should contact oncologist to discuss further actions