The role of informal caregivers during cancer patients' recovery from chemotherapy

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 147–155 The role of informal caregivers during cancer patients’ recovery from chemotherapy Aims:  (i) To investigate the availability, perceived importance and roles of informal caregivers in the recovery of patients treated at day oncology centres and (ii) identify dif...

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Published in:Scandinavian journal of caring sciences 2013-03, Vol.27 (1), p.147-155
Main Authors: Ockerby, Cherene, Livingston, Patricia, O'Connell, Bev, Gaskin, Cadeyrn J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adjuvant
Adult
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Australia
caregivers
Caregivers - psychology
chemotherapy
Humans
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Neoplasms - nursing
Neoplasms - psychology
Nursing
oncology
outpatients
Role
self-care
symptom management
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Summary:Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 147–155 The role of informal caregivers during cancer patients’ recovery from chemotherapy Aims:  (i) To investigate the availability, perceived importance and roles of informal caregivers in the recovery of patients treated at day oncology centres and (ii) identify differences between patients with and without informal caregivers in the extent to which they experienced symptoms, and the level of bother symptoms caused. Method:  Patients from three Australian hospitals (n = 122) were recruited during cycles 1 or 2 of adjuvant chemotherapy. Participants completed a modified version of the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) each day for 5 days after chemotherapy. A telephone interview conducted 10 days post‐treatment explored the availability, importance and roles of caregivers. During the interview, participants also completed the modified RSCL in which they were asked about the extent to which they experienced, and were bothered by, each symptom over the prior 5 days combined. Results:  Overall, 71% of participants had an informal caregiver in the 5 days postchemotherapy, commonly a partner. More women (71%) than men (48%) had a caregiver (p 
ISSN:0283-9318
1471-6712
DOI:10.1111/j.1471-6712.2012.01015.x