TY - JOUR
T1 - Family caregivers
T2 - A qualitative study to better understand the quality-of-life concerns and needs of this population
AU - Ferrell, Betty R.
AU - Kravitz, Kate
AU - Borneman, Tami
AU - Friedmann, Ellen Taratoot
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors take full responsibility for this content. This study was funded by a research grant from the American Cancer Society (principal investigator: Ferrell). The article has been reviewed by independent peer reviewers to ensure that it is objective and free from bias. Mention of specific products and opinions related to those products do not indicate or imply endorsement by the Oncology Nursing Society.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 by the Oncology Nursing Society.
PY - 2018/6
Y1 - 2018/6
N2 - BACKGROUND: While providing physical, psychological, and spiritual care to their loved ones with cancer, family caregivers (FCGs) are physically and emotionally vulnerable to the tolls of caregiving. Patients and FCGs experience the uncertainty that comes with illness and treatment, its side effects, the lack of control, the emotional upheaval, the spiritual doubt, and the helplessness of advancing disease. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to better understand the quality-of-life needs of the FCG population, particularly those who encounter financial strain related to patients’ cancer and treatment. METHODS: This qualitative study of FCG concerns was conducted in association with a randomized trial of an FCG support intervention. Twenty FCGs of patients with solid tumor cancers were interviewed in person or via telephone for this study. The FCG version of the City of Hope quality-of-life tool, which consists of four domains of well-being (physical, psychological, social, spiritual), was applied to the content analysis of interviews. FINDINGS: Care for FCGs is needed across all quality-of-life domains.
AB - BACKGROUND: While providing physical, psychological, and spiritual care to their loved ones with cancer, family caregivers (FCGs) are physically and emotionally vulnerable to the tolls of caregiving. Patients and FCGs experience the uncertainty that comes with illness and treatment, its side effects, the lack of control, the emotional upheaval, the spiritual doubt, and the helplessness of advancing disease. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to better understand the quality-of-life needs of the FCG population, particularly those who encounter financial strain related to patients’ cancer and treatment. METHODS: This qualitative study of FCG concerns was conducted in association with a randomized trial of an FCG support intervention. Twenty FCGs of patients with solid tumor cancers were interviewed in person or via telephone for this study. The FCG version of the City of Hope quality-of-life tool, which consists of four domains of well-being (physical, psychological, social, spiritual), was applied to the content analysis of interviews. FINDINGS: Care for FCGs is needed across all quality-of-life domains.
KW - Family caregivers
KW - Financial concerns
KW - Physical care
KW - Psychological care
KW - Self-care
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U2 - 10.1188/18.CJON.286-294
DO - 10.1188/18.CJON.286-294
M3 - Article
C2 - 29781459
AN - SCOPUS:85047440284
SN - 1092-1095
VL - 22
SP - 286
EP - 294
JO - Clinical journal of oncology nursing
JF - Clinical journal of oncology nursing
IS - 3
ER -