A Psycho-Educational Intervention for Family Caregivers of Patients Receiving Palliative Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study describes an evaluation of a psycho-educational intervention for family caregivers of patients dying of cancer at home. In a randomized controlled trial, participants ( n = 106) received standard home-based palliative care services ( n = 52) or these services plus the new intervention ( n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pain and symptom management 2005-10, Vol.30 (4), p.329-341
Main Authors: Hudson, Peter L., Aranda, Sanchia, Hayman-White, Karla
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Caregivers
Caregivers - education
Caregivers - psychology
Family Nursing
Female
Humans
intervention
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - nursing
Neoplasms - psychology
palliative care
Palliative Care - methods
Palliative Care - psychology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Program Evaluation
randomized controlled trial
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Summary:This study describes an evaluation of a psycho-educational intervention for family caregivers of patients dying of cancer at home. In a randomized controlled trial, participants ( n = 106) received standard home-based palliative care services ( n = 52) or these services plus the new intervention ( n = 54). Data were collected at three time points: upon commencement of home-based palliative care (Time 1), five weeks later (Time 2), and then eight weeks following patient death (Time 3). No intervention effects were identified with respect to preparedness to care, self-efficacy, competence, and anxiety. However, participants who received the intervention reported a significantly more positive caregiver experience than those who received standard care at both Times 2 and 3. The findings indicate that it is possible to increase caregiver rewards despite being immersed in challenging circumstances that often yield considerable negative psychosocial sequelae. Furthermore, it is feasible for health professionals to discuss emotive topics, such as impending death, with caregivers without adverse effects.
ISSN:0885-3924
1873-6513
DOI:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2005.04.006