Associations of death‐preparedness states with bereavement outcomes for family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients

The purpose of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding of the experiences of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients in Shenzhen, Southern China. This study sought to describe how being the main caregiver influences family caregivers’ daily lives. This article reports on the findings from individual interviews with 20 family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients. The interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, which revealed that caring for a cancer patient over the course of his or her illness significantly affected many aspects of family caregivers’ lives. Three major themes were identified in their experiences: (1) challenges, (2) personal growth, and (3) social support. In exploring these themes, this article offers insights into family caregivers’ experiences in Southern China, particularly among family members of terminally ill cancer patients and presents implications for future professional practice, especially oncology social work.

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A Decade of Changes in Family Caregivers' Preferences for Life-Sustaining Treatments for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients at End of Life in the Context of a Family-Oriented Society

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management ◽

10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.326 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

pp. 907-915.e2 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Siew Tzuh Tang ◽

Fur-Hsing Wen ◽

Li Ni Liu ◽

Ming-Chu Chiang ◽

Shiuyu C.K. Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

End Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Terminally Ill ◽

Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

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Information needs and the related variables of Japanese family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients

Nursing and Health Sciences ◽

10.1111/j.1442-2018.2003.00170.x ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 29-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Sakiko Fukui

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Information Needs ◽

Terminally Ill ◽

Japanese Family ◽

Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

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Association between the emotional status of family caregivers and length of stay in a palliative care unit: A retrospective study

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951515000619 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1695-1700 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Seon Hee Kim ◽

In Cheol Hwang ◽

Ki Dong Ko ◽

Young Eun Kwon ◽

Hong Yup Ahn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Terminally Ill ◽

Palliative Care Unit ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Semistructured Interview ◽

Emotional Status ◽

Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

ABSTRACTObjective:Several factors associated with referral time to hospice and/or palliative care services have been identified, but there is no literature on the association between these services and the emotional status of the family caregivers (FCs). This article is intended to address that issue.Method:A semistructured interview was employed to collect data for a retrospective cohort study. The primary FCs of terminally ill cancer patients were interviewed at the time of the patient's referral to the palliative care unit. Interview data were combined with patients' medical record data for our analysis. The emotional status of the FCs was categorized into one of three groups according to their responses to the anticipated death of their family member: acceptance, anxious/depressed, and denial/angry. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine and identify the factors related to the length of stay (LOS) in the palliative care unit.Results:A total of 198 patient–FC pairs were identified. The median LOS was 18 days. A multivariate analysis with adjustment for potential variables revealed significant differences in LOS according to cancer type and time since cancer diagnosis. The denial/angry FC category was independently associated with a shorter LOS (vs. acceptance, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–4.03).Significance of Results:We found that terminally ill cancer patients who were referred late had FCs who were in denial or were angry about the anticipated death of their loved one. The emotional status of FCs should be considered when patients with terminal cancer are referred to palliative care.

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