Challenges, personal growth and social support among family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients in Southern China

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 638-654
Author(s):  
Yong Tang
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis

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.

Caregiver burden and bereavement among family caregivers who lost terminally ill cancer patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 515-522
Author(s):  
Yong Tang
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients ◽  
Attitudes Toward Death

AbstractObjectiveFamily caregivers (FCs) in China provide hospice care to terminally ill cancer patients; however, few studies have been conducted in China on caregiver burden and bereavement experiences as a process that continues over time. The purpose of this study was to identify the main elements of caring and bereavement experiences for FCs caring for patients diagnosed with terminal cancer.MethodTwenty in-depth qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with FCs providing care in a hospice unit in Shenzhen, Southern China. Interview transcripts were analyzed via thematic content analysis.ResultA framework based on the following eight principal themes was developed through content analysis of our FC interviews: symptoms of the illness, the truth-telling process, attitudes toward death, the “color” of death, social and professional support, the moment of death, and grief and loss.Significance of resultsThe analysis showed that caregiving may positively or negatively influence the bereavement process.

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

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fur‐Hsing Wen ◽  
Wen‐Chi Chou ◽  
Ming‐Mo Hou ◽  
Po‐Jung Su ◽  
Wen‐Chi Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

Determinants of the burden and positivity of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients in Korea

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Hae Park ◽  
Dong Wook Shin ◽  
Jin Young Choi ◽  
Jina Kang ◽  
Young Ji Baek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

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

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1695-1700 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the wish to hasten death: a study of patients with terminal illness

2002 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. KELLY ◽  
P. BURNETT ◽  
D. PELUSI ◽  
S. BADGER ◽  
F. VARGHESE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Treatment Needs ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients ◽  
Wish To Hasten Death

Background. There is considerable debate regarding the clinical issues surrounding the wish to hasten death (WTHD) in the terminally ill. The clinical factors contributing to the WTHD need further investigation among the terminally ill in order to enhance understanding of the clinical assessment and treatment needs that underlie this problem. A more detailed understanding may assist with the development of appropriate therapeutic interventions.Method. A sample of terminally ill cancer patients (N=256) recruited from an in-patient hospice unit, home palliative care service and a general hospital palliative care consulting service from Brisbane Australia between 1998–2001 completed a questionnaire assessing psychological (depression and anxiety), social (family relationship, social support, level of burden on others) and the impact of physical symptoms. The association between these factors and the WTHD was investigated.Results. A high WTHD was reported by 14% of patients. A discriminant function analysis revealed that the following variables were associated with a high WTHD (P<0·001): higher levels of depressive symptoms, being admitted to an in-patient hospice setting, a greater perception of being a burden on others, lower family cohesion, lower levels of social support, higher levels of anxiety and greater impact of physical symptoms.Conclusions. Psychological and social factors are related to a WTHD among terminally ill cancer patients. Greater attention needs to be paid to the assessment of psychological and social issues in order to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions for terminally ill patients.

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