Outcomes of an electronic social network intervention with neuro-oncology patient family caregivers

Abstract

With the lessons learned and feedback obtained from FCGs, this study is the first step to developing an effective social support intervention to support FCGs and healthcare providers in improving cancer care.

Dyadic associations between perceived social support and cancer patient and caregiver health: An actor‐partner interdependence modeling approach

“…An example of one such intervention is the electronic Social Network Assessment Program (eSNAP), which is a tool that caregivers may access in the privacy of their home from a variety of electronic devices. eSNAP allows caregivers to visualize their support network by asking questions about available social resources across six categories of support and then provides a visual based on the entered responses that highlights strengths and weaknesses within the support network and offers resources to help strengthen areas of need . Such a tool may be easily implemented within the clinic setting by simply encouraging patients use of the tool and providing the link with a brief description of instructions and what the tool has to offer.…”

“…Therefore, studies that explore how cancer care is prioritized in these social settings and how existing values may be leveraged for adherence to positive health behaviors, as well as how to integrate these interventions into the health care sector, is greatly needed in order to successfully engineer social incentives for better health outcomes. An example of one such intervention is the electronic Social Network Assessment Program (eSNAP), which is a tool that caregivers may access in the privacy of their home from a variety of electronic devices. eSNAP allows caregivers to visualize their support network by asking questions about available social resources across six categories of support and then provides a visual based on the entered responses that highlights strengths and weaknesses within the support network and offers resources to help strengthen areas of need .…”

A Pilot Study on Educational Workshops for Caregivers of Patients with Brain Tumors Called AGAPE Showed its Feasibility and the Maintain Caregiver’s Quality of Life Despite Patient’s Disease Progression.

“…Reblin and al. [32] have found an association between greater burden at diagnosis and lower social support. Moreover, lower social support was related to higher depression and anxiety.…”

“…A meta-analysis on distress in neuro-oncology caregivers highlighted a feeling of isolation and lack of support from healthcare systems [44]. It is crucial to generalize early caregivers' support to improve psychosocial outcomes [32]. Our educational workshops could easily be developed in other hospitals.…”

“…More education about the disease, the potential cognitive effects of treatment and support groups is required [29]. Educational programs for caregivers have always been a positive experience; and several teams reported their experience for reducing stress [30][31][32]. However, very few of them studied their impact on the quality of life of caregivers [13].…”