The Effects of a Patient-Caregiver Education and Follow-Up Program on the Breast Cancer Caregiver Strain Index

Abstract

Background:In recent years, the caregiving responsibilities of cancer patients’ family members have increased dramatically. Reducing caregiver strain and burden supports the mission of professional nursing.Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine and compare the caregiver strain index scores of breast cancer informal caregivers, before and after a patient-caregiver educational and telephone follow-up program.Patients and Methods:This is an experimental two-group design study. Participants were recruited from an outpatient chemotherapy unit of the largest hematology and oncology research center in Northwest Iran. Thirty patient-caregiver pairs were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received 2 face-to-face education sessions at bedside and 4 subsequent telephone follow-up sessions. The control group received routine care. Pre and post tests were administered in both groups pre and post intervention. To analyze the data, SPSS (13th version) software was used.Results:The caregiver strain index decreased significantly in the intervention group after the patient-caregiver education and follow-up (P < 0.001), while the control group’s scores did not change (P = 0.04).Conclusions:It appears that the patient-caregiver education and follow-up program had a beneficial effect on the caregiver strain index compared to the usual care.

Acompanhamento por telefone como intervenção de enfermagem a pacientes em quimioterapia ambulatorial: revisão integrativa

“…Only one study evaluated the levels of stress of caregivers of breast cancer patients (22) . It found a significant decrease in these levels compared to the control group.…”

“…The results provide information on fall risk factors, mechanisms and possible mitigation strategies Regarding the characteristics of the studies, the country with the highest number of studies on the theme was the United States n = 7 (36.8%), followed by Asian countries n = 5 (26.3%), Brazil n = 3 (15.7%), UK n = 2 (10.5%), Turkey and Australia n = 1 (5.2%). Regarding the study design, the following results were obtained: randomized controlled trials (3,27,29,32) n = 4; randomized trials (22,24) n = 2; quasi-experimental (2,23,26) n = 3; observational (4,8,33) , descriptive (20,25,30) n = 3; qualitative (1,21,31) n = 3; and mixed (28) n = 1. Thus, the studies were classified according to levels of evidence: six with LE 2; three with LE 3; three with LE 4; and six with LE 6.…”

Perceptions, expectations, and experiences of gynecological cancer patients: a pan-European ESGO-ENGAGe survey

“…Coping with cancer and its treatment is a complicated process requiring the patient and its caregivers to be well educated about multiple aspects and stages of the process 17 18. A small yet crucial medium of increasing patient education is the use of printed materials since patients who receive printed information fare better in their disease management 19.…”

Quality of Life, Physical and Mental Health of Family Caregivers of Dependent People with Complex Chronic Disease: Protocol of a Cohort Study

“… Concession of the Act on Promotion of Personal Autonomy and Care for dependent persons (exposed only): This was part of a law (included in the Spanish Official State Bulletin, Law 39/2006 of December 14 of Promotion of Personal Autonomy and Attention to People in Dependency Situation), that granted social and healthcare assistance to both the caregiver and the cared person, and also an economic benefit to the caregiver. Caregiver outcomes: Perceived physical and mental health, measured with the SF-12 Questionnaire [ 23 , 24 ]; depression level, measured with the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ9) [ 25 ]; burden level, measured with the Caregiver Effort Index (CEI) [ 26 , 27 ]. New diagnosis of chronic pathology of the caregiver during the study: This will be consulted in their medical record, using the Andalusian Health Service health history (DIRAYA).…”

“…Caregiver outcomes: Perceived physical and mental health, measured with the SF-12 Questionnaire [ 23 , 24 ]; depression level, measured with the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ9) [ 25 ]; burden level, measured with the Caregiver Effort Index (CEI) [ 26 , 27 ].…”