“Family Caregivers (Fcs) Quality of Life (Qol) Outcomes During the Dedicated Inpatient Palliative Care (Ipc) of Their Advanced Cancer Patients” – Study From a Tertiary Care Centre in Andhra Pradesh, South India.

Abstract

Objectives: Family Caregivers (FCs) of cancer patients often suffer from impaired quality of life (QOL) due to stress arising from the responsibility of care giving. Thus, in this study we assessed family caregivers (FCs) quality of life and its association with demographic variables during inpatient palliative care (IPC) of their advanced cancer patients. Material and Methods: 211 FCs of advanced cancer patients were assessed using either English or Telugu versions of the Caregiver Quality of Life Cancer (CQOLC) index scales to evaluate their QOL. We used descriptive and correlation analyses to obtain statistical results.. Results: The summative mean CQOLC score was 54.42+/- 19.7. Statistically signicant higher scores were observed for FCs who reside in rural regions (p=0.27) and those who belong to Below poverty line (BPL) families (p=0.035) suggesting poor quality of life among these groups. High CQOLC score was noticed for socially backward (OBC's, SC and ST castes) communities, but statistically not signicant (p=0.210). Conclusion: FCs from rural regions and lower income groups experience poor QOL. Regular assessment, resource support and specialist care are needed for improving FCs quality of life.