Psychosocial Care for Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1227-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Northouse ◽  
Anna-leila Williams ◽  
Barbara Given ◽  
Ruth McCorkle
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Recommendations For Practice

Purpose To understand family caregivers' needs for better preparation and care, this state-of-the-science review examines the effect of caregiving on the health and well-being of caregivers, the efficacy of research-tested interventions on patient and caregiver outcomes, implications of the research on policy and practice, and recommendations for practice and future research. Methods We reviewed research that described the multiple effects of cancer on caregivers' well-being. Five meta-analyses were analyzed to determine the effect of interventions with caregivers on patient and caregiver outcomes. In addition, we reviewed legislation such as the Affordable Care Act and the Family Leave Act along with current primary care practice to determine whether family caregivers' needs have been addressed. Results Research findings indicate that caregiver stress can lead to psychological and sleep disturbances and changes in caregivers' physical health, immune function, and financial well-being. Research-tested interventions delivered to caregivers of patients with cancer or other chronic illnesses can reduce many of these negative effects and improve caregivers' coping skills, knowledge, and quality of life. Although these interventions also decrease patients' symptoms, reduce mortality (non-dementia patients), and improve patients' physical and mental health, they are seldom implemented in practice. Conclusion Recommendations for practice include development of standardized guidelines that address caregiver assessment, education, and resources; identification of “caregiver champions” in practice settings; provision of referrals to established support organizations for caregivers (eg, Cancer Support Community, Cancer Care); and collaboration among caregiving, professional, and cancer-related organizations to advocate policy and practice changes for family caregivers.

Patient and family caregiver perceptions of a cancer-related in-home Reiki experience.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 174-174
Author(s):  
Hossam Alhawatmeh ◽  
Yea-Jyh Chen ◽  
Rosanne M. Radziewicz
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Physical Symptom ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Practice Methods

174 Background: Complementary care modalities are needed for residential patients and family caregivers, in addition to traditional cancer treatments, to effectively alleviate associated symptoms. Reiki is one of the biofield energy modalities which is generally known to provide non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and beneficial relaxation. It has been commonly practiced to cancer patients in clinical and cancer support facilities. However, little is known about providing Reiki at home especially by informal caregivers. This study aims to describe and understand the perceptions of an in-home Reiki practice as experienced by patients with cancer and their family caregivers. Research Question: What are the perceptions of patients and caregivers of their experiences with an in-home Reiki practice? Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach (Husserl) was used to explore the perceptions of cancer patients and family caregivers of an in-home Reiki practice through narratives of six dyads of participants; six patients with active cancer and six family caregivers were interviewed. Participants were recruited at three sites in Northeast Ohio. Participants’ narratives were analysed according to Colaizzi’s thematic analysis method. Bracketing, peer debriefing, and external audits were performed to enhance the trustworthiness of findings. Results: Seven major themes were identified: 1) exchange of emotional energies, 2) sensory experiences of energy exchange, 3) physical symptom relief, 4) detachment from stressful circumstances, 5) restoration of spiritual wellbeing, 6) recognition of a valued technique, and 7) lifestyle accommodation. Conclusions: Study participants perceived that in-home Reiki was a beneficial self-care practice that improved the health of patients with cancer. An understanding of patient and caregiver perceptions of Reiki practice in home settings may lead to the development of stand practice and guidelines for a successful patient–caregiver intervention, suitable for a daily schedule or lifestyle. Further study is needed to understand the process underlying in-home Reiki in connection with health outcomes related to cancer.

The economic recession and subjective well-being in older adults in the Republic of Ireland

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Duffy ◽  
K. Mullin ◽  
S. O’Dwyer ◽  
M. Wrigley ◽  
B. D. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Health

ObjectiveSubjective well-being in older people is strongly associated with emotional, physical and mental health. This study investigates subjective well-being in older adults in Ireland before and after the economic recession that commenced in 2008.MethodsCross-sectional data from the biennial European Social Survey (2002–2012) were analysed for two separate groups of older adults: one sampled before the recession and one after. Stratification and linear regression modelling were used to analyse the association between subjective well-being, the recession and multiple potential confounders and effect modifiers.ResultsData were analysed on 2013 individuals. Overall, subjective well-being among older adults was 1.30 points lower after the recession compared with before the recession (s.e. 0.16; 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.61; p<0.001) [pre-recession: 16.1, out of a possible 20 (s.d. 3.24); post-recession:14.8 (s.d. 3.72)]. Among these older adults, the pre- and post-recession difference was especially marked in women, those with poor health and those living in urban areas.ConclusionsSubjective well-being was significantly lower in older adults after the recession compared with before the recession, especially in women with poor health in urban areas. Policy-makers need proactively to protect these vulnerable cohorts in future health and social policy. Future research could usefully focus on older people on fixed incomes whose diminished ability to alter their economic situation might make them more vulnerable to reduced subjective well-being during a recession.

Trajectory of Performance Status and Symptom Scores for Patients With Cancer During the Last Six Months of Life

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1151-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsien Seow ◽  
Lisa Barbera ◽  
Rinku Sutradhar ◽  
Doris Howell ◽  
Deborah Dudgeon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Status ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Average Pain ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Over Time

Purpose Ontario's cancer system is unique because it has implemented two standardized assessment tools population-wide to improve care: the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) measures severity of nine symptoms (scale 0 to 10; 10 indicates the worst) and the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) measures performance status (scale 0 to 100; 0 indicates death). This article describes the trajectory of ESAS and PPS scores 6 months before death. Patients and Methods Observational cohort study of cancer decedents between 2007 and 2009. Decedents required ≥1 ESAS or PPS assessment in the 6 months before death for inclusion. Outcomes were the decedents' average ESAS and PPS scores per week before death. Results Ten thousand seven hundred fifty-two (ESAS) and 7,882 (PPS) decedents were included. The mean age was 65 years, half were female, and approximately 75% of assessments occurred in cancer clinics. Average PPS score declined slowly over the 6 months before death, starting at approximately 70 and ending at 40, declining more rapidly in the last month. For ESAS symptoms, average pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression scores remained relatively stable over the 6 months. Conversely, shortness of breath, drowsiness, well-being, lack of appetite, and tiredness increased in severity over time, particularly in the month before death. More than one third of the cohort reported moderate to severe scores (ie, 4 to 10) for most symptoms in the last month of life. Conclusion In this large outpatient cancer population, trajectories of mean ESAS scores followed two patterns: increasing versus generally flat. The latter was perhaps due to available treatment (eg, prescriptions) for those symptoms. Future research should prioritize addressing symptoms that worsen over time.

scholarly journals Advancing Indigenous Mental Health Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-249
Author(s):  
Joseph P Gone ◽  
Laurence J Kirmayer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Transcultural Psychiatry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ethical Awareness ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Indigenous Mental Health

The articles in this issue of Transcultural Psychiatry point the way toward meaningful advances in mental health research pertaining to Indigenous peoples, illuminating the distinctive problems and predicaments that confront these communities as well as unrecognized or neglected sources of well-being and resilience. As we observe in this introductory essay, future research will benefit from ethical awareness, conceptual clarity, and methodological refinement. Such efforts will enable additional insight into that which is common to Indigenous mental health across settler societies, and that which is specific to local histories, cultures and contexts. Research of this kind can contribute to nuanced understandings of developmental pathways, intergenerational effects, and community resilience, and inform policy and practice to better meet the needs of Indigenous individuals, communities and populations.

Development and Initial Validation of the Self-Care Practices Scale

Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn J Lee ◽  
Shari E Miller ◽  
Brian E Bride
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Care Practices

Abstract Self-care is regarded as essential for effective social work practice, offsetting occupational stress and promoting well-being and resiliency among practitioners. However, the literature reveals a notable absence of psychometrically sound instruments to measure self-care. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development, refinement, and construct validity of the Self-Care Practices Scale (SCPS). The piloted version of the SCPS is a 38-item instrument designed to measure frequency of engagement in personal and professional self-care practices. Data were collected through mailed surveys from a random sample of master’s-level clinical social workers and members of the National Association of Social Workers (N = 492). Analysis supports the construct validity of an 18-item SCPS with two subscales that demonstrate strong internal validity. The SCPS is useful for social work educators, practitioners, and administrators to ascertain frequency of self-care practice and build a stronger culture of self-care. The role of SCPS in future research is discussed.

Lifestyle and Shiftwork: Designing and Testing a Model for Health Promotion of Iranian Nurses

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Mokarami ◽  
Tayebe Rahimi Pordanjani ◽  
Ali Mohammadzadeh Ebrahimi ◽  
Fariba Kiani ◽  
Mohammad Faridan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle is one factor that forms the nurses’ health, particularly those who work in shiftwork schedules. AIMS: The aim of this study was to design and test a model for health promotion of Iranian nurses. In this model, nurses’ lifestyle was considered as the precedent, physical and mental health as the outcomes, and sleep disturbance and chronic fatigue as the mediators. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling was conducted among 240 shiftworker nurses in Iran. The data collection was performed using the Persian versions of the Survey of Shiftworkers Questionnaire and Life Style Questionnaire. Bootstrap in Preacher and Hayes’ Macro program was used for testing mediation. RESULTS: Lifestyle had a weak significant direct effect on physical (β = 0.13, p < .04) and mental health (β = 0.12, p < .02), and it had a significant indirect effect on physical health via chronic fatigue (β = −0.11, p < .001) and sleep disturbance (β = −0.05, p < .01). This variable only had a significant indirect effect on mental health via chronic fatigue (β = −0.19, p < .001). The final model proposed a new significant path between sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue (β = 0.22, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the hospital officials can enhance the nurses’ physical and mental well-being by providing interventions and training courses on aspects of healthy lifestyles, such as physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and maintenance of body weight.

Yoga program for patients with brain tumors undergoing radiotherapy (XRT) and their family caregivers.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 200-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Milbury ◽  
Smith Mallaiah ◽  
Anita Mahajan ◽  
Terri S. Armstrong ◽  
Shiao-Pei S. Weathers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Sf 36

200 Background: The role of behavioral medicine in the symptom management of glioma patients is largely unknown. Moreover, although the literature revealed that family caregivers are at risk of physical and psychological burden, the needs of caregivers generally remain unaddressed. The purpose of this study was to establish feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a couple-based Yoga (CBY) intervention in glioma patients and their caregivers targeting QOL outcomes. Methods: This small, single-arm pilot trial included adults with low and high grade glioma undergoing XRT and their family caregivers. Dyads participated in a 12-session CBY program focusing on breathing exercises, gentle movements and guided meditations. We tracked feasibility data and assessed levels of cancer-related symptoms (MDASI), depressive symptoms (CES-D), fatigue (BFI), sleep disturbances (PSQI), spiritual well-being (FACT-SP) and overall mental and physical QOL (SF-36) at baseline and post-CBY, which was at the end of XRT. Participants also completed program evaluations. Results: We approached 7 dyads of which 5 (71%) consented. All participants completed all 12 sessions and pre/post assessments. All patients (mean age: 52 yrs., 80% female, 80% high grade) and caregivers (mean age: 58 yrs., 60% female, 60% spouses) indicated that they perceived benefit from the program. Paired t-tests revealed a marginally significant, yet clinically meaningful, decrease in patient’s cancer symptoms (t = 2.32, p = .08; MDASI mean; 32.06 vs.18.80). There were clinically significant reductions in patient sleep disturbances (PSQI mean: 10.75 vs. 8.00) and improvements in patient and caregiver mental QOL (MCS of SF-36 mean: 42.35 vs 52.34 and 45.14 vs 51.43, respectively). All other means were generally in the expected direction. Conclusions: This novel supportive care program appears to be safe, feasible, acceptable, and subjectively useful for glioma patients and their caregivers. Although the trial did not have a control group, it is notable that multiple symptom outcomes improved when they would normally have been expected to deteriorate over the course of XRT. We are currently conducting a randomized controlled trial to examine treatment efficacy. Clinical trial information: 2015-01124.

scholarly journals Positive psychology outcome measures for family caregivers of people living with dementia: a systematic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1281-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacki Stansfeld ◽  
Charlotte R. Stoner ◽  
Jennifer Wenborn ◽  
Myrra Vernooij-Dassen ◽  
Esme Moniz-Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Future Research ◽  
People With Dementia

ABSTRACTBackground:Family caregivers of people living with dementia can have both positive and negative experiences of caregiving. Despite this, existing outcome measures predominately focus on negative aspects of caregiving such as burden and depression. This review aimed to evaluate the development and psychometric properties of existing positive psychology measures for family caregivers of people living with dementia to determine their potential utility in research and practice.Method:A systematic review of positive psychology outcome measures for family caregivers of people with dementia was conducted. The databases searched were as follows: PsychINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed. Scale development papers were subject to a quality assessment to appraise psychometric properties.Results:Twelve positive outcome measures and six validation papers of these scales were identified. The emerging constructs of self-efficacy, spirituality, resilience, rewards, gain, and meaning are in line with positive psychology theory.Conclusions:There are some robust positive measures in existence for family caregivers of people living with dementia. However, lack of reporting of the psychometric properties hindered the quality assessment of some outcome measures identified in this review. Future research should aim to include positive outcome measures in interventional research to facilitate a greater understanding of the positive aspects of caregiving and how these contribute to well-being.

Social Work in Health Care with Older Adults: Future Challenges

2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Berkman ◽  
Daniel S. Gardner ◽  
Bradley D. Zodikoff ◽  
Linda K. Harootyan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Challenges

Dramatic changes in demography, epidemiology, and the financing and delivery of health care have significantly affected the lives of older adults and their families. The authors review current and future trends in aging and health care in the United States and their implications for social work practice in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers. Health care social work in the 21st century requires the development and application of evidence-based knowledge that reflects the interrelatedness of aging, physical and mental health, and intergenerational family processes. The authors demonstrate the value of social work research to issues that are in the forefront of gerontological health care practice, policy, and education.

scholarly journals Structural distress: experiences of moral distress related to structural stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javeed Sukhera ◽  
Chetana Kulkarni ◽  
Taryn Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Health Equity ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Resident Physicians ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on the health of structurally vulnerable patient populations as well as healthcare workers. The concepts of structural stigma and moral distress are important and interrelated, yet rarely explored or researched in medical education. Structural stigma refers to how discrimination towards certain groups is enacted through policy and practice. Moral distress describes the tension and conflict that health workers experience when they are unable to fulfil their duties due to circumstances outside of their control. In this study, the authors explored how resident physicians perceive moral distress in relation to structural stigma. An improved understanding of such experiences may provide insights into how to prepare future physicians to improve health equity. Methods Utilizing constructivist grounded theory methodology, 22 participants from across Canada including 17 resident physicians from diverse specialties and 5 faculty members were recruited for semi-structured interviews from April–June 2020. Data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Results Results describe a distinctive form of moral distress called structural distress, which centers upon the experience of powerlessness leading resident physicians to go above and beyond the call of duty, potentially worsening their psychological well-being. Faculty play a buffering role in mitigating the impact of structural distress by role modeling vulnerability and involving residents in policy decisions. Conclusion These findings provide unique insights into teaching and learning about the care of structurally vulnerable populations and faculty’s role related to resident advocacy and decision-making. The concept of structural distress may provide the foundation for future research into the intersection between resident well-being and training related to health equity.

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