Lifestyle and Symptom Management Needs: A Network Analysis of Family Caregiver Needs of Cancer Patients.

Winson Fu Zun Yang,Rathi Mahendran,Sangita Kuparasundram,Yiong Huak Chan,Konstadina Griva

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.739776

Abstract

Previous research on the needs of family cancer caregivers (FCCs) have not elucidated associations between specific caregiving needs. Network analysis, a statistical approach that allows the estimation of complex relationship patterns, helps facilitate the understanding of associations between needs and provides the opportunity to identify and direct interventions at relevant and specific targets. No studies to date, have applied network analysis to FCC populations. The aim of the study is to explore the network structure of FCC needs in a cohort of caregivers in Singapore. FCCs (N = 363) were recruited and completed a self-report questionnaire on socio-demographic data, medical data on their loved ones, and the Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Cancer scale. The network was estimated using state-of-the-art regularized partial correlation model. The most central needs were having to deal with lifestyle changes and managing care-recipients cancer-related symptoms. The strongest associations were between (1) having enough insurance coverage and understanding/navigating insurance coverage, (2) managing cancer-related pain and managing cancer-related symptoms, (3) being satisfied with relationships and having intimate relationships, and (4) taking care of bills and paying off medical expenses. Lifestyle changes, living with cancer, and symptom management are central to FCCs in Singapore. These areas deserve special attention in the development of caregiver support systems. Our findings highlight the need to improve access to social and medical support to help FCCs in their transition into the caregiving role and handle cancer-related problems.

Highlights

Caregivers of cancer patients play a crucial and essential role in care recipients’ cancer journey, as patient care moves from inpatient to ambulatory and home settings [1]
We used a partial correlation model applied with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Extended Bayesian Information Criterion (EBIC) to identity the Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers- Cancer (NAFC-C) network
We found that needs such as reorganizing roles among family members (Item 23), assisting with daily needs (Item 26), meeting personal needs (Item 4), finding help from others (Item 8), and lack of time with family and friends (Item 15) are related to satisfaction with the relationship with other family members and friends and lifestyle changes (Item 25) (Figure 3A)

Summary

Introduction

Caregivers of cancer patients play a crucial and essential role in care recipients’ cancer journey, as patient care moves from inpatient to ambulatory and home settings [1]. Network Analysis of Caregiver Needs the patient’s cancer journey [3] Specific unmet needs such as perceived information needs have been associated with higher odds of FCC anxiety [4]. While both cancer patients’ and FCCs’ needs are important as they affect the patient-caregiver relationship [5], quality of life [6], and FCCs’ psychological health [7], they may be more dire for FCCs than for patients [2]. Identifying these needs during the cancer patient’s treatment journey is crucial in supporting caregiving efforts

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