Psychosocial Care for Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer

Objectives: Cancer is a major life-threatening disease and has its impact on both patients and their family members. Caregivers also play the very important role in the care of the patients with cancer. (1) Asses the burden among caregivers of patients with oral cancer using burden inventory. (2) Assess the perceived stress among caregivers of patients with oral cancer using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). (3) Identify the correlation between burden and perceived stress with selected sociodemographic variable. There is mounting evidence that during advanced stages of illness, changes in family roles, and the burden placed on family caregivers may negatively affect quality of life for cancer patients, as well as their caregivers. Attending to the needs of the families of patients not only will benefit family members but also may help patients with their own emotional responses and management of their disease. The study objectives were to asses the burden and the perceived stress among caregivers of patients with oral cancer patients. Methods:Quantitative nonexperimental approach with descriptive survey design was selected for study. 40 caregivers of patients with oral cancer were selected through convenience sampling technique. The study included the caregivers of 21-50 years age group who is providing care patients with oral cancers, who are responding and interested to participate, and available at the time of the study. Caregiver's burden was assessed using caregiver burden scale. A stress of the caregiver was assessed by the PSS.Results: Demographic variable shows that maximum sample belongs 40-50 (40%) years of age group, male gender (65%), married (90%), nuclear family (65%), house wife by occupation (60%), spouse to the patients (45%), below graduated education (72%), 6 months to 1 year in providing care (47%), having health benefit from government (52%), and accompanying patient regularly to the hospital (72%). In this study, 3 (7.5%) caregiver were said that no burden, 13 (32.5%) samples shown mild burden, 15 (37.5%) relative indicated moderate burden, and 9 (22.5%) samples shown severe burden; 4 (10%) samples shown low stress, 22 (55%) caregiver presented moderate stress, and 14 (35%) samples had high stress. Conclusion:Caregivers are often patients' primary source of support, many experience significant burden, particularly with respect to their physical and psychological well-being, economic circumstances, and social and personal relationships.

Objective: Psychosocial interventions directed to couples where one has advanced cancer can reduce distress, enhance communication, and provide an opportunity for relational growth. The present study aimed to develop an intervention to facilitate communication about living with advanced cancer using the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) as the focus of a clinical interview with couples toward the end of life.Method: Couples were recruited from oncology and palliative care services at a Sydney hospital. After the PDI was developed and manualized as an intervention for couples, the PDICouple Interview (PDI -CI) was delivered by a clinical psychologist and comprised the following: (1) the patient completed the PDI; (2) the patient's identified partner completed the PDI about how they thought the patient was feeling; and (3) the clinician reviewed the results with the couple, summarizing areas of concurrence and discordance and facilitating discussion.Results: Some 34 couples were referred, of which 12 consented, 9 of whom completed the clinical interview. Reported benefits included enabling couples to express their concerns together, identifying differences in understanding, and giving "permission to speak" with each other. The focus of the interview around the PDI provided a structure that was particularly acceptable for men. Most couples confirmed that they were "on the same page," and where differences were identified, it provided a forum for discussion and a mutual understanding of the challenges in managing advanced cancer within a supportive context. Significance of Results: Participant couples' experiences of the PDI -CI provide valuable insight into the benefits of this intervention. This preliminary study indicates that the intervention is a relatively simple means of enhancing closer communication and connection between couples where one has advanced cancer and may be an important adjunct in helping prepare couples for the challenges inherent toward the end of life. Further investigation of feasibility with a larger sample is recommended.

Purpose Supporting someone through chemotherapy can be emotionally and physically demanding. However, research has yet to establish the type of support carers require or the best way to provide this. This study tested the feasibility and acceptability of a complex intervention for carers that was codesigned by staff and carers of patients starting chemotherapy. Methods Forty-seven carers were recruited, randomised between the intervention (n=24) and control (n=23) groups. A questionnaire was completed pre-and post-intervention measuring knowledge of chemotherapy and its side effects, experience of care, satisfaction with outpatient services, coping and emotional wellbeing. The intervention process was evaluated by carers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in focus groups. Results Recruitment to the study was unproblematic and attrition from it was low, suggesting the intervention and study processes were acceptable to patients and carers. Carers in receipt of the 'Take Care' intervention reported statistically significantly better understanding of symptoms and side effects and their information needs being more frequently met than carers in the control. Confidence in coping improved between baseline and follow-up for the intervention group and declined for the control although differences were insufficient to achieve statistical significance. There was no significant difference between the two groups' emotional wellbeing. HCP and carer focus groups confirmed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Conclusions The 'Take Care' intervention proved acceptable to carers and HCPs and demonstrates considerable promise and utility in practice. Study findings support the conduct of a fully powered RCT to determine the intervention's effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.