The Supportive Care Needs of Regional and Remote Cancer Caregivers

Anna Stiller,Belinda C Goodwin,Jeff Dunn,Fiona Crawford-Williams,Joanne F Aitken,Suzanne K Chambers,Sonja March,Michael Ireland

doi:10.3390/curroncol28040266

Abstract

Objective: As cancer survival rates continue to increase, so will the demand for care from family and friends, particularly in more isolated settings. This study aims to examine the needs of cancer caregivers in regional and remote Australia. Methods: A total of 239 informal (i.e., non-professional) cancer caregivers (e.g., family/friends) from regional and remote Queensland, Australia, completed the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Cancer Caregivers (CNAT-C). The frequencies of individuals reporting specific needs were calculated. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between unmet needs and demographic characteristics and cancer type. Results: The most frequently endorsed needs were lodging near hospital (77%), information about the disease (74%), and tests and treatment (74%). The most frequent unmet needs were treatment near home (37%), help with economic burden (32%), and concerns about the person being cared for (32%). Younger and female caregivers were significantly more likely to report unmet needs overall (OR = 2.12; OR = 0.58), and unmet healthcare staff needs (OR = 0.35; OR = 1.99, respectively). Unmet family and social support needs were also significantly more likely among younger caregivers (OR = 0.35). Caregivers of breast cancer patients (OR = 0.43) and older caregivers (OR = 0.53) were significantly less likely to report unmet health and psychology needs. Proportions of participants reporting needs were largely similar across demographic groups and cancer type with some exceptions. Conclusions: Caregiver health, practical issues associated with travel, and emotional strain are all areas where regional and remote caregivers require more support. Caregivers’ age and gender, time since diagnosis and patient cancer type should be considered when determining the most appropriate supportive care.

Highlights

Cancer, as a disease group, is the leading cause of disease burden in Australia and the economic cost of cancer to the health system is substantial [1,2]
The aim of this study is to describe the types and prevalence of supportive care needs of cancer caregivers in regional and remote Australia, both in terms of prevalence of needs and degree of unmet need and to compare unmet need according to the caregiver’s age group, gender, geographical location, socio-economic status, the length of time since diagnosis, and the cancer type of the patient
Ninety-five percent of the sample were within 84 months (7 years) from the patient’s diagnosis, with one patient being diagnosed with their current primary cancer 25 years ago

Summary

Introduction

As a disease group, is the leading cause of disease burden in Australia and the economic cost of cancer to the health system is substantial [1,2]. A caregiver is defined here as the person (e.g., partner, family member or friend) “nominated by the cancer patient as most involved in supporting them through the illness” [3]. Caregivers help the patient in a myriad of ways such as in managing symptoms and side-effects, providing assistance at medical appointments, giving emotional support, assisting in activities of daily living, as well as taking on extra family and household responsibilities [4]. Caring for someone with cancer, a loved-one, can incur significant physical and emotional burdens for the caregiver [5,6,7]. As cancer survival rates continue to increase, so will the demand for care and support from family and friends.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion