Patients' self reports and caregivers' perception of symptoms in Turkish cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose The study's aim was to compare cancer patients' and family caregivers' perceptions of symptom distress in patients receiving chemotherapy in Turkey. Method The study used a cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 80 dyads, composed of cancer patients and their caregivers, completed the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) in an out-patient chemotherapy unit. This scale is a 27-item Likert -type scale assessing both physical and psychological symptoms in cancer patients. Results Primary caregivers' physical symptom scores were moderately correlated with patients' physical symptom scores (r = 0,74; P < 0.01). Levels of patient - caregiver agreement were better for loss of hair (ICC 0.80) and lack of appetite (ICC 0.68) on physical symptoms. Level of agreement was moderate for 16 symptoms of the 27 symptoms of the RSCL. Conclusion The study illustrates that family caregivers play a vital role in the assessment of cancer symptoms, particularly in Turkey where contact with professional health carers may be limited after discharge, and argues for greater support and better education for carers in relation to all aspects of this caring role. However, family caregivers have greater difficulty in achieving high levels of accuracy on psychological as opposed to physical symptoms.