BackgroundInformal caregivers (family or friends of people with cancer) are a group of highly important people who support those diagnosed with cancer to remain at home and out of hospital, but this comes at a significant personal cost. Understanding strategies to support cancer caregivers is critical. ObjectiveThis article will present an overview of cancer caregiving and how the caregivers involved can be assisted by general practitioners (GPs). Two key approaches to general practice teams supporting caregivers will be explored: acknowledging and integrating caregivers as part of the care team and providing referrals into services and supports.

Consolidation of the literature using systematic reviews is a critical way to advance a discipline and support evidence-based decision-making in healthcare. However, unique challenges exist that impact the conduct of systematic reviews in implementation science. In this commentary, we reflect on our combined experience to describe five key challenges unique to systematic reviews of primary implementation research. These challenges include (1) descriptors used in implementation science publications, (2) distinction between evidence-based interventions and implementation strategies, (3) assessment of external validity, (4) synthesis of implementation studies with substantial clinical and methodological diversity, and (5) variability in defining implementation ‘success’. We outline possible solutions and highlight resources that can be used by authors of primary implementation research, as well as systematic review and editorial teams, to overcome the identified challenges and optimise the utility of future systematic reviews in implementation science.

Background Partners of men living with prostate cancer (PCa) can experience a variety of unmet needs that are largely unaddressed by health care professionals. There is limited evidence to suggest which approach may be most effective in supporting partners’ unmet needs and further research is required to determine how to provide support to caregivers and how technology solutions can be designed. Objective This study aims to explore the experience of partners of men living with PCa and their perceptions of the potential role of information technology in supporting their needs. Methods A qualitative descriptive methodology using focus groups and phone interviews was used. Purposive sampling was used to recruit people attending a national conference supported by a national PCa organization. Interview guides were adapted from an existing evidence-based smartphone app for caregivers of people with colorectal cancer. Sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A coding framework was developed, and transcripts were coded line by line into the framework. Codes within the framework were grouped into descriptive categories that were then developed into analytical themes. Results A total of 17 female partners participated in the study, with an average age of 64 (SD 8.5) years. The following two main themes emerged: In the first theme, that is, How technology can be shaped to support female partners of prostate cancer survivors, the content and design of the smartphone app was discussed in addressing female partners’ needs. The following four subthemes were developed: getting support from social networks and resources, the lack of relevant information, demystifying future care expectations during and following a PCa diagnosis, and delivering the smartphone app—to whom and from whom. In the second theme, that is, The benefits and barriers of technology, the suitability of smartphone apps as a supportive modality for female partners was described. This included three subthemes: the smartphone app as an appropriate modality for supporting female partners, the future anticipated benefits of using the smartphone app, and concerns for storing and accessing information on the internet. Conclusions A smartphone app may be a suitable modality for providing information and peer support to female partners of men living with PCa. There is a need to provide peer support for female partners in future interventions to ensure that female partners’ intimacy and daily practical needs are met.

BACKGROUND Partners of men living with prostate cancer (PCa) can experience a variety of unmet needs that are largely unaddressed by health care professionals. There is limited evidence to suggest which approach may be most effective in supporting partners’ unmet needs and further research is required to determine how to provide support to caregivers and how technology solutions can be designed. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the experience of partners of men living with PCa and their perceptions of the potential role of information technology in supporting their needs. METHODS A qualitative descriptive methodology using focus groups and phone interviews was used. Purposive sampling was used to recruit people attending a national conference supported by a national PCa organization. Interview guides were adapted from an existing evidence-based smartphone app for caregivers of people with colorectal cancer. Sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A coding framework was developed, and transcripts were coded line by line into the framework. Codes within the framework were grouped into descriptive categories that were then developed into analytical themes. RESULTS A total of 17 female partners participated in the study, with an average age of 64 (SD 8.5) years. The following two main themes emerged: In the first theme, that is, <i>How technology can be shaped to support female partners of prostate cancer survivors</i>, the content and design of the smartphone app was discussed in addressing female partners’ needs. The following four subthemes were developed: getting support from social networks and resources, the lack of relevant information, demystifying future care expectations during and following a PCa diagnosis, and delivering the smartphone app—to whom and from whom. In the second theme, that is, <i>The benefits and barriers of technology,</i> the suitability of smartphone apps as a supportive modality for female partners was described. This included three subthemes: the smartphone app as an appropriate modality for supporting female partners, the future anticipated benefits of using the smartphone app, and concerns for storing and accessing information on the internet. CONCLUSIONS A smartphone app may be a suitable modality for providing information and peer support to female partners of men living with PCa. There is a need to provide peer support for female partners in future interventions to ensure that female partners’ intimacy and daily practical needs are met.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to summarise the literature on current interventions available for carers of men with prostate cancer and analyse the outcomes of these interventions in supporting carers’ needs.MethodsA systematic review was conducted, searching databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane, using terms related to prostate cancer, carers and interventions. Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled trials of interventions for informal carers with or without patients were included. Data were analysed using descriptive and frequency statistics; interventions and their impact on carers’ outcomes were reported on narratively. The SwiM guidelines were applied to guide data synthesis.ResultsOverall, 24 articles were included in the review. On average, participants were spouses (92%) and women (97%). Interventions largely rwere delivered face-to-face (42%) or used a combination of face to face and online modalities (38%). Two-thirds (63%) showed a significant improvement in carer’s outcomes including psychological, sexual, physical and relationship/marital. The majority of studies (79%) tailored contents to carers’ circumstances, most within a couples counselling format. Over one-third (42%) of studies focused on a range of supportive care needs, most commonly were psychological (58%), sexual (42%) and informational (25%).ConclusionsInterventions for carers of men with prostate cancer were largely face to face, patient–spouse focused and two-thirds had some measurable impact on carer’s outcomes. Research continues to underserve other patient–carer roles, including non-spousal carers. Interventions delivered solely for carers are required to meet gaps in care, and determine the impact on carer outcomes. Further research and more targeted interventions are needed.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021249870