Supporting cancer family caregivers: How can frontline oncology clinicians help?

Porter, Laura S.; Dionne‐Odom, J. Nicholas

doi:10.1002/cncr.30759

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Our study found that caregivers experience being in an unpredictable and unfamiliar territory with difficulties processing complex information. Similar to our findings, previous studies have found that caregivers find it challenging to manage complex patient care needs, and the support from healthcare professionals is valuable 24,42 . These findings stress the importance of healthcare professionals acknowledging how the caregiver is affected and consider caregivers’ life situations and resources 27 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Similar to our findings, previous studies have found that caregivers find it challenging to manage complex patient care needs, and the support from healthcare professionals is valuable. 24,42 These findings stress the importance of healthcare professionals acknowledging how the caregiver is affected and consider caregivers' life situations and resources. 27 It also reflects a need for more individualized information and guidance at the beginning of the trajectory and subsequently as patient needs might change according to the patients and caregivers' needs and resources.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Experiences and Needs of Caregivers of Adult Patients With Hematologic Malignancies During Treatment

et al. 2022

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Background: Family caregivers play a vital role in providing care and support for patients with life-threatening hematologic diseases. Extensive patient care needs and long-term treatment trajectories can negatively affect the health of caregivers. Despite the importance of supporting caregivers, few studies examine family caregivers' experiences and support needs during treatment. Objective: To explore the role, experiences, and needs of family caregivers of patients with hematologic malignancies during treatment. Methods: An exploratory longitudinal qualitative study using serial semistructured interviews with caregivers of hematologic patients was carried out. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: A sample of 16 caregivers completed 47 interviews. Three themes and 2 subthemes were identified: (1) committing to an unconditional mission while adjusting to a changeable situation: developing resilience over time; (2) being an invisible and inseparable sufferer: cultivating hope one day at a time; and (3) balancing between sacrificing one's own needs and self-care. Conclusions: During treatment, caregivers face long-term psychological and physical distress, social isolation, and loneliness due to the extended life-threatening situation imposing shifting challenges and needs. Future research should explore the concept of social support in caregiver resilience and investigate psychosocial interventions in hematologic caregivers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Experiences and Needs of Caregivers of Adult Patients With Hematologic Malignancies During Treatment

et al. 2022

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“…Hence, it appears that caregivers might benefit from a supportive network, made up not only of family members or friends but also resources from within the community. It may be useful to give caregivers a list of available resources about the various organisations involved in cancer care when their partner is first diagnosed, even if they are not particularly distressed at this time, so that they have accurate information and support (Porter & Dionne‐Odom, ). In addition, in the current study low levels of physical and sports activity also predicted anxiety.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…give caregivers a list of available resources about the various organisations involved in cancer care when their partner is first diagnosed, even if they are not particularly distressed at this time, so that they have accurate information and support (Porter & Dionne-Odom, 2017). In addition, in the current study low levels of physical and sports activity also predicted anxiety.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support as predictor of anxiety and depression in cancer caregivers six months after cancer diagnosis: A longitudinal study

García-Torres

Jabłoński

Solís

et al. 2020

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Aims and Objectives To establish the predictive utility of specific social support domains for emotional well‐being in cancer caregivers, six months after their partner's cancer diagnosis. Background In cancer caregivers, social support has been consistently related to anxiety and depression. There is little information, however, about the predictive utility of specific social support domains for psychological well‐being in the first six months after a partner's cancer diagnosis. Design Longitudinal research study. Methods Sixty‐seven caregivers of recently diagnosed cancer patients were recruited from the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba (Spain). Participants completed a set of questionnaires including the Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a socio‐demographic questionnaire. Data were collected at two time points: T1 (30–45 days after diagnosis) and T2 (180–200 days after). TRIPOD checklist was used. Results Most of the caregivers were female (65%) and the partner of the patient (58%), with an average age of 51.63 years (SD = 13.25). Statistical differences were observed between the two assessment points for the social support domains of perceived emotional support, satisfaction with support and protective buffering. Logistic regression analysis showed that less physical and sports activity, more support seeking and less informational support received at T1 predicted anxiety at T2, while less perceived available support predicted depression. Conclusions Accurate information and support from other members of the community and the promotion of physical and sports routines for cancer caregivers may help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in the first months after a partner's cancer diagnosis. Relevance to clinical practice Clinicians must pay attention to the social support needs and physical activity of caregivers in the first days after diagnosis, in order to prevent anxiety and depression.

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“…Beyond concerns about caregiving responsibilities, caregivers in our study appreciated the opportunity to identify, share, and address their needs related to their own well-being, as well as that of their family member with cancer. In lieu of formal assessment, practitioners can greatly benefit caregivers by acknowledging that caregiving can be challenging, reinforcing that caring for themselves is essential, and providing a list with key informational and supportive care resources available to them (Porter & Dionne‐Odom, 2017). Implementing extant validated screening procedures such as CancerSupportSource-Caregiver, however, would help better ensure all caregivers’ needs are routinely and comprehensively assessed and addressed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility and Acceptability of Distress Screening for Family Caregivers at a Cancer Surgery Center

Shaffer

Benvengo

Zaleta

et al. 2019

ONF

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OBJECTIVES: Procedures that efficiently identify informal caregivers with supportive care needs and triage them to appropriate resources will reduce caregivers’ treatment access barriers. Towards this end, we conducted a feasibility study of a validated electronic distress screening program for cancer caregivers. SAMPLE AND SETTING: Informal caregivers (n=17 [9 female], age M=59 [range=36–83]) presenting with a patient to an ambulatory cancer surgery center. METHODS AND VARIABLES: Caregivers self-reported demographics, completed the distress screener on a tablet computer, and then completed a brief semi-structured interview about their perceptions of the screener. RESULTS: Caregivers described the screener as straightforward and comprehensive. They frequently endorsed concerns about their self-care needs but were most likely to request information or a referral for patient-focused concerns. Caregivers frequently requested informational resources, but few requested referrals. Referrals generated from the program are likely viably addressed with existing supportive care resources. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Brief, caregiver-focused distress screening is perceived positively by caregivers. Caregivers indicated they felt it validated the importance of their role and highlighted the hospital’s effort to continually improve care. Given that medical care responsibilities are quickly transferred from nursing to caregivers at ambulatory surgical centers, this screening program may be particularly beneficial in these contexts to efficiently identify caregivers with concerns and provide a point of entry to remediate these concerns.

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Supporting cancer family caregivers: How can frontline oncology clinicians help?

Cited by 9 publications

References 15 publications

Experiences and Needs of Caregivers of Adult Patients With Hematologic Malignancies During Treatment

Experiences and Needs of Caregivers of Adult Patients With Hematologic Malignancies During Treatment

Social support as predictor of anxiety and depression in cancer caregivers six months after cancer diagnosis: A longitudinal study

Feasibility and Acceptability of Distress Screening for Family Caregivers at a Cancer Surgery Center

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