1
|
Schulman-Green D, Linsky S, Blatt L, Jeuland J, Kapo J, Jeon S. Improving Breast Cancer Family Caregivers' Palliative Care Literacy: A Pilot Randomized Trial. JOURNAL OF FAMILY NURSING 2023; 29:99-114. [PMID: 35670155 DOI: 10.1177/10748407221099541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Self- and family management (SFM) refers to patients' and family caregivers' activities to co-manage illness. Two barriers to SFM are low palliative care literacy and lack of goals of care communication, which potentially result in SFM activities that are unsupportive of patients' goals. Managing Cancer Care: A Caregiver's Guide (MCC-CG) aims to improve palliative care literacy and communication within a SFM training program. In this pilot randomized trial, we enrolled breast cancer family caregivers and collected data at 0, 1, and 3 months on palliative care literacy, SFM engagement, communication, transitions management, uncertainty, caregiver burden, and caregiver competence/personal gain. Participants (n = 35) had a mean age of 54 (range: 18-81) and were 66% white and 34% racial/ethnic minorities. Intervention participants improved their palliative care literacy and SFM engagement, reduced uncertainty and caregiver burden, increased competence/personal gain, and had more goals of care conversations over time. MCC-CG has preliminary efficacy, warranting further study.
Collapse
|
2
|
Amar S, Biderman A, Carmel S, Bachner YG. Elderly Caregivers' Awareness of Caregiving Health Risks. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10061034. [PMID: 35742085 PMCID: PMC9222691 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10061034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness of elderly primary caregivers of being at physical and mental health risk due to their caregiving role, as well as to examine the impact of sociodemographic characteristics, patient care characteristics, and situational variables on caregivers’ awareness. Data were collected by interview of a sample of primary caregivers aged 60+. A total of 202 primary caregivers responded positively, representing a response rate of 65% (202/311). We found a low−moderate level of awareness. The final multivariate regression analysis (F (12, 179) = 21.26, p < 0.000) revealed six variables, out of nearly 30, that are associated with a high percentage (59%) of the variability of caregivers’ awareness, namely caregiving burden, caregivers’ self-rated health, patient’s disease severity, caregiver gender, number of children, and familial relation to the patient. Action may be taken to raise caregivers’ awareness. Such interventions would possibly contribute to the quality of life and health of caregivers, enable the optimal treatment of the patient, and reduce the costs imposed on the health system and society in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shimon Amar
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel;
- Clalit Health Services, Southern District, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +972-8-6477405
| | - Aya Biderman
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel;
- Clalit Health Services, Southern District, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Sara Carmel
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; (S.C.); (Y.G.B.)
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Yaacov G. Bachner
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; (S.C.); (Y.G.B.)
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Health-related quality of life in cancer immunotherapy: a systematic perspective, using causal loop diagrams. Qual Life Res 2022; 31:2357-2366. [PMID: 35298735 PMCID: PMC8929267 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose System science offers a unique set of tools, including causal loop diagrams (CLDs), for stakeholders to better grasp the complexity of factors surrounding quality of life. Because the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of cancer immunotherapy patients exists within an intricate system affected by and affecting many factors across multiple dimensions, the development of a systems-level model can provide a powerful framework to aid the understanding of this complexity. We developed a CLD for HRQoL of cancer immunotherapy patients. Methods We first applied a literature-based approach to construct a CLD for patients following immunotherapy. We then iteratively reviewed and enhanced the CLD through interviews with subject matter experts. Results Based on the reviewed literature and subject matter expert input, we produced a CLD representing the system surrounding cancer immunotherapy patients’ HRQoL. Several feedback loops are identified that span clinical experiences, oncology teams’ perceptions about immunotherapy, social support structures, and further research and development in cancer immunotherapy, in addition to other components. The CLD enables visualization of thought experiments regarding how a change anywhere in the system can ultimately worsen or improve patients’ HRQoL. Conclusion The CLD illustrates the valuable contribution of a systems perspective to quality-of-life research. This systems-based qualitative representation gives insight on strategies to inhibit harmful effects, enhance beneficial effects, and inherent tradeoffs within the system. The CLD identifies gaps in the literature and offers a communication tool for diverse stakeholders. Our research method provides an example for studying the complexities of quality of life in other health domains. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11136-022-03110-5.
Collapse
|
4
|
Pan YC, Lin YS. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence of Depression Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:817936. [PMID: 35633789 PMCID: PMC9133351 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.817936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregivers of cancer patients commonly experience depressive symptoms due to the heavy burden of caregiving responsibility. OBJECTIVE This meta-analysis examined the prevalence of depression among caregivers of cancer patients. METHODS We included 85 studies covering 23,317 participants published between 2001 and 2021 (25 countries) that reported the prevalence of depression among caregivers of cancer patients. We examined the pooled prevalence of depression and hypothesized moderators, including year, age, sex, geographic regions, percentage of spousal caregivers, depression measures, and cancer stage. RESULTS All 85 effect sizes included 6,077 caregivers of patients with depression. The weighted average prevalence of depression was 25.14% (95% CI, 21.42-29.27%) among caregivers. The prevalence rates were moderated by geographic region, patients' cancer stage, and measures for depression. The prevalence rates also varied among the different measures assessing depression. The prevalence rate decreased with the mean age of the caregivers and the percentage of spousal caregivers. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a high prevalence of depression among caregivers of cancer patients. The prevalence rates also varied with the study design, demographics of caregivers, and patients' medical information. These findings highlight that psychological support and intervention may be crucial for patients and their caregivers in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Chien Pan
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yaw-Sheng Lin
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dealing with Family Conflicts in Decision-making in End-of-Life Care of Advanced Cancer Patients. Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:124. [PMID: 34448971 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01122-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The family plays a significant role in end-of-life care and decision-making with advanced cancer patients. This non-systematic review aims to summarize the family role and possible emerging conflicts and problems related to family involvement in decisions with advanced cancer patients. RECENT FINDINGS Four important domains were identified: (1) discordance between patients and caregivers' understanding of prognosis and goals of care; (2) internal family conflicts; (3) cultural differences regarding the role of the family in end-of life decision-making; (4) the burden on caregivers through caring for cancer patients. Based on the findings, we formulated some implications to consider for clinical practice. We suggest to involve the family in decision-making, to ascertain patients' wish for family involvement and if necessary, taking a mediator role between patients and their caregivers; to be aware of "invisible" family influence on patients' decisions; to assess systematically family burden and needs; to provide timely information, psychological support interventions and palliative care.
Collapse
|
6
|
Tuch G, Sanapala C, Mohile SG, Duberstein PR, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Xu H, Culakova E, Flannery M, Yousefi-Nooraie R, Epstein RM, McHugh C, Aarne V, Kim H, Geer J, O'Rourke MA, Vogelzang NJ, Loh KP. Association Between Caregiver-Oncologist Discordance in Patient's Life Expectancy Estimates and Caregiver Perceived Autonomy Support by the Oncologist. Oncologist 2021; 26:e1992-e2001. [PMID: 34309111 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregiver perceived autonomy support by the oncologist is important for caregiver well-being and may be affected by the patient's survival. We determined the association of caregiver-oncologist discordance in patient's life expectancy estimates with perceived autonomy support over time and whether the association differed by patient survival status. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used data from a geriatric assessment cluster-randomized trial (URCC 13070) that recruited patients aged at least 70 years with incurable cancer considering or receiving treatment, their caregivers, and their oncologists. At baseline, caregivers and oncologists were asked to estimate patient's life expectancy (0-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-5 years, and >5 years; any difference in response was considered discordant). At 4-6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, caregivers completed the Health Care Climate Questionnaire (HCCQ), which measured perceived autonomy support by the oncologist. Generalized estimating equation modeling was conducted to assess the association of baseline caregiver-oncologist discordance with longitudinal HCCQ scores, stratified by patient 6-month survival status. RESULTS Discordant life expectancy estimates were present in 72.0% of dyads. In multivariate analyses, caregiver-oncologist discordance in patient's life expectancy estimates was associated with higher caregiver HCCQ scores. In stratified analysis, caregiver-oncologist discordance was associated with lower caregiver HCCQ scores (β = -3.46; 95% CI, -4.64 to -2.29) among patients who died within 6 months but with higher caregiver HCCQ scores (β = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.63-2.04) among patients who survived beyond 6 months. CONCLUSION Interventions aimed at mitigating discordance need to consider its association with caregiver perceived autonomy support and patient's survival in order to better inform caregiver expectations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Among patients who died within the first 6 months, caregivers who estimated a different length of life for the patient compared with oncologists were more likely to report lower support from the oncologist, whereas the opposite relationship was seen within patients who survived beyond the first 6 months. When designing interventions to improve caregiver understanding of the patient's prognosis, its relationship with caregiver-perceived support and patient's survival needs to be considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gina Tuch
- Department of Aged Care, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chandrika Sanapala
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Supriya G Mohile
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Paul R Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis
- Department of Geriatrics, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Huiwen Xu
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Control, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Eva Culakova
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Control, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Marie Flannery
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Reza Yousefi-Nooraie
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ronald M Epstein
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Colin McHugh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Valerie Aarne
- SCOREboard Advisory Group, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Hannah Kim
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jodi Geer
- Metro Minnesota Community Oncology Research Program, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mark A O'Rourke
- National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) of the Carolinas (Greenville Health System NCORP), Greenville, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Designing a need-based program for relieving psychological distress of family caregivers of leukemia patients: a randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:7601-7610. [PMID: 34131846 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06353-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The family of leukemia patients, due to their caring role, often feels psychological distress. A practical need-based program carefully considers the set of requirements of nursing service recipients. This paper illustrates the efficacy of a designed family-need-based program on relieving stress, anxiety, and depression of family caregivers of leukemia patients. METHODS In this controlled trial, sixty-four family caregivers of leukemia patients referring to a medical center in Iran were recruited by convenience sampling and randomly divided into study and control groups. The study group attended a designed need-based program. The control group did not receive the intervention. Stress, anxiety, and depression of both groups were simultaneously measured and compared in three time-points using the scale of stress, anxiety, and depression (DASS-42). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS Before the program, the average scores of stress, anxiety, and depression were 31.16 ± 4.14, 21.37 ± 6.31, and 27.56 ± 4.24 for the study group and 31.09 ± 4.48, 20.34 ± 6.56, and 28.78 ± 4.72 for the control group. After the program, the average scores of stress, anxiety, and depression were 10.56 ± 3.37, 6.75 ± 2.99, and 7.37 ± 2.76 for the study group and 34.87 ± 2.51, 23.65 ± 4.96, and 32.56 ± 3.49 for the control group, respectively. Results of the independent t test indicated no considerable difference before the program (P > 0.05) and a significant difference after the program (P < 0.001) between the two groups. CONCLUSION This family-need-based program can decrease the level of stress, anxiety, and depression of the family caregivers of leukemia patients and may potentially alleviate the psychological distress of family caregivers over their caring role.
Collapse
|
8
|
Loučka M, Vlčková K, Tučková A, Poláková K, Houska A, Matějů M, Donátová Z. Prognostic awareness in advanced cancer patients and their caregivers: A longitudinal cohort study. Psychooncology 2021; 30:1449-1456. [PMID: 33864323 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyse longitudinal development of prognostic awareness in advanced cancer patients and their families. METHODS This was a longitudinal cohort study, involving 134 adult cancer patients, 91 primary family caregivers and 21 treating oncologists. Key eligibility criterion for patients was life expectancy less than 1 year (estimated by their oncologists using the 12-month surprised question). Structured interviews, including tools to measure prognostic awareness, health information needs, and demographics were conducted face to face or via phone three times over 9 months. Forty-four patients completed all three phases of data collection. RESULTS Only 16% of patients reported accurate prognostic awareness, 58% being partially aware. Prognostic awareness of both patients and family caregivers remained stable over the course of the study, with only small non-significant changes. Gender, education, type of cancer, spirituality or health information needs were not associated with the level of prognostic awareness. Family caregivers reported more accurate prognostic awareness, which was not associated with patients' own prognostic awareness (agreement rate 59%, weighted kappa 0.348, CI = 0.185-0.510). CONCLUSIONS Prognostic awareness appears to be a stable concept over the course of the illness. Clinicians must focus on the initial patients' understanding of the disease and be able to communicate the prognostic information effectively from the early stages of patients' trajectory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Loučka
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Vlčková
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Tučková
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Poláková
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Houska
- Center for Palliative Care, Prague, Czech Republic.,Division of Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Matějů
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Donátová
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine and Thomayer Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gray TF, Forst D, Nipp RD, Greer JA, Temel JS, El-Jawahri A. Prognostic Awareness in Caregivers of Patients with Incurable Cancer. J Palliat Med 2020; 24:561-569. [PMID: 32996821 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Little is known about how patients with incurable cancer and caregivers differ in their prognostic awareness, and the relationship between caregiver prognostic awareness and their psychological distress. Objective: To investigate prognostic awareness in caregivers of patients with incurable cancer and prognostic discordance in patient-caregiver dyads and its association with psychological distress. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting/Subjects: In total, subjects were 390 caregivers of adults with incurable lung, gastrointestinal, and brain cancers at a cancer center in the northeastern United States. Measurements: The Prognosis and Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire was used to assess prognostic awareness and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess psychological distress. Results: In total, 39.7% (n = 147/370) and 17.3% (n = 64/370) caregivers reported clinically significant anxiety and depression symptoms. And 53.7% of caregivers reported the patients' cancer as "curable" and 44.1% reported the cancer was "not terminal." Caregivers' report of curability was not associated with their anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 0.99, p = 0.93) or depression (OR = 1.05, p = 0.32) symptoms. Among 42.5% (124/292) and 26.0% (76/292) of dyads (n = 292), both patients and their caregivers agreed in their perception of the cancer as curable and incurable, respectively. In 19.9% of dyads (n = 58), patients reported their cancer as curable, while their caregivers reported it as incurable. In 11.6% of dyads (n = 34), patients reported the cancer as incurable while caregivers reported it as curable. Conclusions: More than half of caregivers have misperceptions about the patients' likelihood of cure, and one-third of patient-caregiver dyads have discordant perceptions. Supportive care interventions may facilitate conversations and enhance prognostic understanding in patients with incurable cancer and their caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamryn F Gray
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deborah Forst
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ryan D Nipp
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph A Greer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer S Temel
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|