QOL of Caregivers

[Linda661]

Interesting study showing the effects and issues surrounding quality of life for caregivers when a multidisciplinary intervention is used (like hospice service offerings) vs. standard medical care.....

Quality of Life of Caregivers of Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer

Matthew M. Clark, PhD

Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, clark.matthew@mayo.edu

Teresa A. Rummans, MD

Jeff A. Sloan, PhD

Cancer Center Statistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Andrus Jensen

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Pamela J. Atherton, MS

Cancer Center Statistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Marlene H. Frost, RN, PhD

Women’s Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Jarrett W. Richardson, MD

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

J. Michael Bostwick, MD

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Mary E. Johnson

Chaplain Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Jean M. Hanson

Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Paul D. Brown, MD

Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Abstract:

There has been much research documenting the impact of having a loved one diagnosed with advanced cancer, but little is known about how to reduce care-giver burden. In this randomized controlled trial, the authors examined the potential relationship of an advanced cancer patient’s participation in an 8-session, structured, multidisciplinary intervention on the care-giver’s burden and quality of life (QOL). Although the patients randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 54) demonstrated improved QOL compared to the control condition (n = 49) participants (P < .05), there was no evidence that improving the patient’s QOL made an impact on the caregiver’s level of burden or the care-giver’s QOL. Further investigation is warranted in this area, including interventions specifically designed and targeted to both reduce caregiver burden and to improve caregiver QOL.

Full PDF Article:

http://ajh.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/23/3 ... type=HWCIT