Review of the literature on the effects of caring for a patient with cancer

Abstract

Objective: To adequately help family caregivers (FCs) of cancer patients, clinicians need to understand the complexity of the problems and responsibilities associated with cancer patients illness that FCs experience.Methods: This systematic review identified the types of problems and burdens that FCs of cancer patients experience during the patient's illness. We also analyzed the language caregivers use to communicate their problems and responsibilities related to caregiving for the cancer patient.Results: Of 2845 titles identified, 192 articles met the inclusion criteria and are included in this review. Of these, 164 were research-based. In addition to FC responsibilities and the impact of being a caregiver on daily life, a number of other physical, social, and emotional problems related to caregiving for these FCs were identified.Conclusion: A substantial evidence base supports the conclusion that FCs experience many difficult problems and increased responsibilities during and after the patient is undergoing treatment and rehabilitation for cancer. The insights gained from this review will help researchers and clinicians to understand the complexity of problems and responsibilities FCs experience. This understanding may encourage them to include support for FCs as part of total or holistic patient care. However, more research is needed to better understand the variations in caregiving experiences over time; how the caregiving perspective is influenced by different cultural, ethnic, or socioeconomic backgrounds as well as gender and age; and how problems and responsibilities related to caregiving interfere with daily life.

Telemedicine Use Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Systematic Review (Preprint)

“…Literature reviews and meta-analyses confirm the association between greater mental burden and poorer physical and mental well-being: the responsibilities and the stressful experiences related to the caregiving role can cause depression, anxiety, worry and loneliness [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Moreover, family caregivers may also experience a greater mental burden and emotional distress that could impact on fatigue, sleep impairment and unhealthy behaviours [23][24][25][26]. Several studies have demonstrated how caregivers suffer from highly distressing conditions impacting not only on psychological dimensions but also their biological system.…”

Guía de práctica clínica para la atención psico-oncológica del cuidador primario informal de pacientes con cáncer

“…Los cuidadores primarios informales llegan a tener complicaciones en su bienestar físico, psicológico y social (40) . Por lo tanto, ayudar a los cuidadores mediante estrategias con elementos cognitivo conductuales a la solución de problemas para su autocuidado y apoyo en el cuidado de los pacientes debe ser un importante elemento de la atención hospitalaria y ambulatoria (41)(42)(43) .…”

Long-term follow-up of informal caregivers after allo-SCT: a systematic review

“…This has resulted in the shift of cancer patient care, 14,15 including the care of HSCT patients, 16 from professional caregivers such as nurses, therapists and so on, to informal caregivers such as spouses, partners, and children. The focus of this article is on these informal caregivers of HSCT patients, and the term 'caregiver' will refer to this group unless expressly stated otherwise.…”