Family Caregivers Of Patients Research Articles

"Walk me through the final day": A thematic analysis study on the family caregiver experience of the Medical Assistance in Dying procedure day.

Legalization of assisted dying is progressively expanding worldwide. In Canada, the Medical Assistance in Dying Act became law in 2016. As assisted dying regulations evolve worldwide, comprehending its subjective impact and broader consequences, especially on family members, becomes pivotal for shaping practice, policy, and training. The goal of this study is to understand the experience of family caregivers on the assisted dying procedure day. Qualitative, thematic analysis, research using semi-structured interviews. Family caregivers of patients who received assisted dying in two hospitals in Canada were recruited. Interviews were conducted at least 6 months after patient death. Conceptual saturation was achieved after analyzing 18 interviews. While caregivers expressed gratitude for the availability of Medical Assistance in Dying, they also described the procedure day as potentially jarring and unsettling. We identified five aspects that shaped their experience: attuned support from the clinical team; preparation for clinical details; congruence between the setting and the importance of the event; active participation and ceremony; and pacing and timing of the procedure. Together, these aspects impacted the level of uneasiness felt by caregivers on the procedure day. This study emphasized the importance of a family-centered approach to delivering Medical Assistance in Dying. It underscored recognizing the needs of family caregivers during the procedure day and offering strategies to ease their experience. Healthcare providers in jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal or deliberated should consider the applicability of these findings to their unique context.

Health-related quality of life predictors for patients with stroke: A prospective longitudinal study of matched pairs of patients with stroke and family caregivers.

Patients with stroke require long-term rehabilitation for functional recovery and daily activities. The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with stroke may deteriorate because of family caregivers' nonpreparedness and increased role burden. To investigate how caregivers' preparedness and sense of competence predict the HRQOL of patients with stroke. A prospective longitudinal study. The study population comprised patients with stroke who were hospitalized for rehabilitation and their family caregivers. A total of 158 patient-family caregiver dyads were recruited from June to September 2021. Data were collected at the initiation of rehabilitation therapy and upon discharge. Information about the characteristics of the family caregivers and patients with stroke and about the former's preparedness and sense of competence were collected at baseline. Furthermore, the HRQOL of patients with stroke was measured at baseline and upon discharge to evaluate the change. This study of matched pairs of patients and family caregivers demonstrated that the latter's caregiving preparedness and sense of competence predicted positive changes in patients' HRQOL. Family caregivers who were satisfied with their care recipients (patients) and had better recognition of the consequences of care involvement better predicted changes in patients' HRQOL. The findings of this study indicate the importance of family caregivers' caregiving preparedness and sense of competence in predicting changes in patients' HRQOL. Clinically, the findings of this study highlight the importance of assessing and supporting family caregivers in developing a strong caregiving preparedness and sense of competence and in understanding the implications of their role as caregivers as it may help improve patients' HRQOL. The integration of interventions that enhance caregiver satisfaction and awareness into clinical practice may result in a more comprehensive and effective patient care. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Previous studies have demonstrated that the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with stroke is influenced by sociodemographic factors, such as sex, age, marital status, pain, cognitive ability and activities of daily living. A substantial association was observed between caregivers' preparedness and the HRQOL of patients with stroke. However, few studies have examined the association between caregivers' sense of competence and the HRQOL of patients with stroke. The present study indicated that clinical nursing activity must include assessment and intervention of family caregivers to improve the HRQOL of patients with stroke. The family caregivers of patients with stroke hospitalized in the post-stroke period may experience a sense of sacrifice and limitation in their personal lives. Clinical nursing practice should assess family caregivers' caregiving preparedness and sense of competence to improve the HRQOL of patients with stroke. This study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines and named the reporting method.

The Experiences of Family Caregivers After Losing a Patient with Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Background: In patients with advanced cancer, family caregivers are crucial in providing care throughout the illness, particularly towards the end of life. These caregivers often face unique challenges and emotions that may differ significantly from those experienced by other family members following the patient’s death. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of family caregivers following the loss of a patient with advanced cancer. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Iran from June 2023 to January 2024 to explore the experiences of family caregivers after the death of a patient with advanced cancer. Using purposive sampling, face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 Iranian family caregivers of cancer patients. The interviews were subjected to conventional content analysis for thematic extraction. To ensure the trustworthiness and rigor of the study, Lincoln and Guba's criteria were applied. Results: Data analysis and abstraction resulted in the formation of three main categories with eight sub-categories. The categories extracted from the caregivers' experiences were: Caregiver's inconsolable mourning, Unforgettable experience of caring for loved ones, and Constant mind involvements. Conclusions: The different experiences of family caregivers after the death of a patient and the more intense emotions they experience indicate that caregivers require additional attention and support following the loss. Consequently, health systems should identify these individuals during the patient care process and provide targeted support after the patient's death.

Abstract PO2-10-12: The devil is in the details: Workflow analysis of breast cancer treatment decision making and implications for decision support design

Abstract While numerous decision aids have been developed to support treatment decision-making in breast cancer1, widespread implementation remains limited due to challenges integrating these tools in clinical workflows2. Given these persistent issues, we need to better understand the complex workflows and needs of decision aid users - patients, their family caregivers, and breast cancer clinicians. Previous studies have explored various aspects of breast cancer team workflows3,4. Despite this work, it is still unclear how these complex workflows support or hinder decision aid use. In this study, we conducted an in-depth analysis of breast cancer team workflow to elicit design requirements for informatics tools to support patient-centered decision-making. This study was part of a larger project aimed at designing a COMputeried PAtient-centered Collaborative Technology (COMPACT) to support personalized decision-making for breast cancer patients. We conducted observations of clinicians and patients at one breast center, using a tablet computer with smart pen to take notes on all aspects of clinic workflow. We uploaded all observation notes into a qualitative data analysis software, Dedoose. Two researchers coded the observations in an inductive, consensus-based process. We met to review our codes and identify key themes emerging in the data. We observed 95 hours and 127 patient encounters across 20 clinician-centered and 8 patient-centered observations. We identified 10 themes related to the design of decision support, which we grouped into the 4 components of workflow6 (see Table 1). We identified numerous patient-specific factors communicated from the patient to the clinical team that influenced treatment decision-making. These “decision factors” covered the broader scope of the patient’s life that was important in the decision-making process (e.g., upcoming family wedding, work). Patients were frequently “knowledge brokers” and were asked to remember and relay information across members of the care team. We identified 28 different tools and technologies used to support treatment decision-making. Patient family caregivers (e.g., aunt, husband) played an important role in treatment decision-making. Based on these findings, we developed design requirements for informatics tools to better support patients (and clinicians). Our study highlights the complexity and interdependence of breast cancer treatment decision-making. Patients frequently made treatment decisions that influenced subsequent decisions. Decision aids typically focus on one decision or one care specialty and do not support consideration of several treatment options at one time1. Future research is needed to determine if and how decision support tools could incorporate the broader scope and interdependence between decisions to support patient-centered care. We highlight the need for informatics tools to consider the diverse and unique decision factors (e.g., hobbies) that are crucial to patient-centered decision-making. Decision support could help to elicit and incorporate these factors during treatment decision-making. However, the variable nature of these patient-specific factors presents a challenge to decision support design. Further research is needed to determine how to optimally incorporate such factors into decision support tools. We found inadequate system support for clinicians’ tasks including limited feedback loops to notify clinicians of completed tasks (e.g., mammogram, genetic testing). As a result, patients were often responsible for relaying information to and between different members of the clinical team. Given that patients only remember 50% of what clinicians tell them during visits7, a better system is needed to improve the reliability of information transfer. Our design guidelines can be used to improve the design of decision support tools and ultimately improve patient-centered decision-making. Table 1. Workflow components, themes, and associated challenges to decision support design Citation Format: Megan Salwei, Carrie Reale. The devil is in the details: Workflow analysis of breast cancer treatment decision making and implications for decision support design [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-10-12.

Increased Support for the Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Increased Support for the Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

The effect of family-centered care on unplanned emergency room visits, hospital readmissions and intensive care admissions after surgery: a root cause analysis from a prospective multicenter study in the Netherlands

BackgroundOptimizing transitional care by practicing family-centered care might reduce unplanned events for patients who undergo major abdominal cancer surgery. However, it remains unknown whether involving family caregivers in patients’ healthcare also has negative consequences for patient safety. This study assessed the safety of family involvement in patients’ healthcare by examining the cause of unplanned events in patients who participated in a family involvement program (FIP) after major abdominal cancer surgery.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis focusing on the intervention group of a prospective cohort study conducted in the Netherlands. Data were collected from April 2019 to May 2022. Participants in the intervention group were patients who engaged in a FIP. Unplanned events were analyzed, and root causes were identified using the medical version of a prevention- and recovery-information system for monitoring and analysis (PRISMA) that analyses unintended events in healthcare. Unplanned events were compared between patients who received care from family caregivers and patients who received professional at-home care after discharge. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze data.ResultsOf the 152 FIP participants, 68 experienced an unplanned event and were included. 112 unplanned events occurred with 145 root causes since some unplanned events had several root causes. Most root causes of unplanned events were patient-related factors (n = 109, 75%), such as patient characteristics and disease-related factors. No root causes due to inadequate healthcare from the family caregiver were identified. Unplanned events did not differ statistically (interquartile range 1–2) (p = 0.35) between patients who received care from trained family caregivers and those who received professional at-home care after discharge.ConclusionBased on the insights from the root-cause analysis in this prospective multicenter study, it appears that unplanned emergency room visits and hospital readmissions are not related to the active involvement of family caregivers in surgical follow-up care. Moreover, surgical follow-up care by trained family caregivers during hospitalization was not associated with increased rates of unplanned adverse events. Hence, the concept of active family involvement by proficiently trained family caregivers in postoperative care appears safe and feasible for patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Patients With Heart Failure and Cancer Who Receive Palliative Care.

Quality of life (QoL) is the criterion-standard outcome in palliative care for patients with various illnesses and their family caregivers. There is a need to determine the factors affecting caregivers' QoL in each population and the differences between groups to design differentiated intervention strategies. The aims of this study were to compare the role adoption, social support, and QoL of family caregivers of patients with heart failure and cancer in palliative care and to examine the determinants of QoL. A comparative study was conducted with the family caregivers of patients with cancer (n = 81) and heart failure (n = 80) in palliative care. Quality of life in life-limiting situations, role adoption, and social support questionnaires were also administered. A χ2 test, Student t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for between-group comparisons. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the effects of the correlated variables on caregivers' QoL. Caregivers of patients with heart failure had better QoL (P = .006) and lower tangible social support (P = .007) than caregivers of patients with heart failure. No differences were found in caregiver role adoption between the groups. Linear regression indicated that for caregivers of patients with cancer, social support, role adoption, caregiver age, and patient functional status affect caregiver QoL. For caregivers of patients with heart failure, role adoption and patient functional status are predictors of QoL. Overall, healthcare professionals should focus on improving social support and caregiver role adoption and provide greater attention to the QoL of caregivers of patients with cancer.

Psychometric evaluation of the caring ability of the family caregivers of the patients in need of palliative care scale (CAFCPNPCS): A methodological study

Background & Aim: Since family caregivers play an important role in providing care for patients in need of palliative care, it is important to focus on and examine their care ability in fulfilling the expected roles. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a psychometric evaluation of the Caring Ability of the Family Caregivers of the Patients in Need of Palliative Care Scale (CAFCPNPCS). Methods & Materials: The present study is methodological research that evaluates the psychometric characteristics of the CAFCPNPCS by measuring face validity, content validity, construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis and divergent validity), and internal consistency in 412 family caregivers of the patients in need of palliative care, who were selected through convenient sampling. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and LISREL 8.8. Results: According to the confirmatory factor analysis, the 5-factor model with 31 items was confirmed with the values RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.95, and GFI=0.88. The divergent validity was measured by the estimation of the correlation between the caring ability score with the care burden score (which was measured by Zarit Burden Interview) of the family caregivers of the patients in need of palliative care. Cronbach's alpha (α) was reported to be 0.85 for the whole scale and 0.781-0.852 for other dimensions. Conclusion: CAFCPNPCS is a valid and reliable tool that can evaluate the caring ability of the family caregivers of patients in need of palliative care. Based on the results, it is recommended to utilize this scale to determine these caregivers’ ability to provide care and to examine the effectiveness of interventions to improve the dimensions of their caring ability.

Positive Emotions in Family Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Factors Associated with Gain in Caregiving from a Gender Perspective.

Background/Objectives: Gender differences in the variables of burden, anxiety, depression, and others associated with psychological distress have been found in studies on caregivers caring for a dependent relative, but a gender perspective is seldom used when analysing the positive aspects of caregiving. This study contributes to filling this gap by analysing gender differences in caregivers in a specific positive variable: gain. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in a sample of 44 male and 96 female caregivers from Family Alzheimer Associations. Gender differences were analysed in demographic and psychological variables associated with the caregiving situation. Results: Female caregivers showed higher psychological distress than male caregivers, but gender differences in gain were only obvious when a deeper analysis of the GAIN scale responses was performed. The mediational role of psychological distress and other predictive variables showed a different pattern in male and female caregivers. The important predictive and mediating role that psychological distress plays in the greater perception of gains in caregiving and the result showing that female caregivers are the ones with poorer mental health support the need for preventive and therapeutic programs specifically targeting the positive aspects of caregiving in female caregivers. Conclusions: Three aspects could be highlighted in this study: family caregivers of AD patients perceived gain in the caregiving situation; gender plays a differential role in the perception of gain; and, finally, psychological distress should be the target when interventions are planned, not only to alleviate negative aspects but also to increase the positive aspects of caregiving.

Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Caregiver Strain, and Social Support with Dementia Grief in Family Caregivers.

Background and Objectives: Dementia grief in family caregivers of people with dementia refers to grieving prior to the death of the care recipient. It is related to psychosocial risk factors that may have a negative impact on the health of these family caregivers. This study aimed to describe the relationship between depressive symptoms, caregiver strain, and social support with dementia grief in family caregivers of people with dementia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 250 family caregivers of people with dementia participated. Dementia grief was the main variable, and depressive symptoms, caregiver strain, and social support were assessed. Additionally, socio-demographic data were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a bivariate correlation analysis and a multiple linear regression analysis were performed for dementia grief. Results: Higher scores for dementia grief were found in women, in family caregivers of patients at advanced stages of dementia, and in family caregivers with a low level of education. High levels of depressive symptoms and caregiver strain and low levels of social support indicated greater intensity of dementia grief. Depressive symptomatology was the variable with the greatest influence on dementia grief. Caregiver strain and social support also related to dementia grief, but to a lesser extent. Conclusions: In family caregivers, depressive symptoms, caregiver strain, and social support are related to the intensity of dementia grief, with a greater influence of depressive symptoms. Moreover, being female, having a low level of education, and caring for a care recipient at an advanced stage of dementia are factors associated with increased dementia grief. Concerning study limitations, the sample was restricted, belonging to a specific region of Spain and to a Provincial Federation of associations. It is necessary to exercise caution in generalizing results due to the sociodemographic and geographical characteristics of the sample.

Family caregiver outcomes after participating in a Hospital-based family involvement program after major gastrointestinal surgery: a subgroup analysis of a patient preferred cohort study

Background: Engaging families in postsurgical care is potentially beneficial for improving cancer patient outcomes and quality of care. We developed a family involvement program (FIP) and in this study, we aim to evaluate the impact of the FIP on family caregiver burden and well-being. Moreover, we aim to assess the fidelity of the program. Materials and methods: This is a preplanned subgroup analysis of a patient-preferred prospective cohort study that included family caregivers of patients who underwent major oncological surgery for gastrointestinal tumors. Only patient-nominated family caregivers could participate in the FIP. Caregivers received structured training in fundamental caregiving tasks from healthcare professionals and then actively participated in these tasks. Caregiver burden and wellbeing were measured four times (at hospital admission, at hospital discharge, and at one and three months post-hospital discharge) using the Caregiver Strain Index+ (CSI+) and the Care-related Quality of Life instrument (CarerQoL-7D). The fidelity of the FIP was assessed by recording completion of care activities. In addition, family caregivers were asked whether they would participate in the FIP again. Results: Most of the 152 family caregivers were female (77.6%), and their mean age was 61.3 years (SD=11.6). Median CSI+ scores ranged between -1 and 0 and remained below the cutoff point of experiencing burden. CarerQoL-7D results indicated no significant differences in family caregivers’ well-being over time. Upon discharge, over 75% of the family caregivers stated that they would recommend the FIP to others. The highest compliance with all fundamental care activities was observed during postoperative days 2 to 4. Conclusion: The family caregivers of oncological surgical patients who participated in the FIP exhibited acceptable levels of caregiver burden and well-being. These findings suggest that the FIP is a valuable intervention to equip family caregivers with the skills to navigate the uncertain period following a patient’s hospital discharge.

Experiences of family caregivers in dealing with cases of advanced breast cancer: a qualitative study of the sociocultural context in Punjab, Pakistan

BackgroundPatients with advanced breast cancer require consistent help and support from family caregivers. These caregivers often endure financial burdens and psychological stress, with their experiences significantly influenced by sociocultural factors. This study aims to explore the experiences of family caregivers of advanced breast cancer patients in Punjab province, Pakistan.MethodsData was collected through in-depth interviews with fifteen family caregivers of advanced breast cancer patients in three major cities of Punjab, Pakistan. Caregivers, who had been in close contact with the patient for the last two years, were purposively sampled from five major hospitals. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe study revealed that the experiences of family caregivers are deeply rooted in the sociocultural context. Key themes identified include social responsibility and cultural reciprocity norms; limited awareness and mobility options for caregivers; financial responsibility and strain; impacts of beauty myths and shyness on caregiving attitudes and decisions; the stressful and emotional nature of caregiving; treatment perspectives influenced by social groups; challenges in consulting male physicians and associated stigma; the role of religious beliefs in caregiving; and stress management, with religion often being a coping mechanism. These factors can contribute to delayed treatment decisions for patients.ConclusionsFamily caregivers are crucial in facilitating timely treatment decisions for advanced breast cancer patients in the Pakistani context. To minimize treatment delays and alleviate caregiver stress, addressing sociocultural barriers in care-seeking is essential. A tailored approach, considering sociocultural and religious factors, is imperative for the management and early diagnosis of breast cancer, necessitating appropriate policymaking and implementation.

Caring the caregivers. An online psychological intervention for family caregivers of oncological palliative patients

Aim: analyze the effectiveness of an online delivered psychological intervention program for oncological palliative caregivers in order to reduce the distress and caregiver burden. Methods: The program was developed for primary caregivers of advanced cancer patients, with a life expectancy of less than 6 months. The intervention consisted of 4 weekly sessions. The assessment instruments were the Caregiver Emotional Distress Detection Scale and the Zarit’s Reduced Scale and were applied at the beginning and end of the program. In addition, the main worries of the caregivers were categorized by the Caregiver Emotional Distress Detection Scale. Descriptive statistics and Student’s t were used. Results: 38 caregivers enrolled in intervention, 81.6% of whom were women. Regarding the degree of kinship, 44.7% were descendants of the patient. The distress was significantly reduced after the intervention. Uncertainty remained the main worry at both moments of measurement. Before the program, the second most frequent worry was the suffering of the patient, while after the intervention it was worries about the suffering of other family members. Conclusions: Carrying out this online group psychological intervention program proved to be effective in reducing emotional distress in the main caregivers of cancer patients at the end of life. Uncertainty was a constant concern throughout the program in the relatives.

Navigating the Caregiving Pathway: Understanding the Contextual Influences on Sense of Coherence Among Family Caregivers.

Family caregivers of patients with chronic conditions face challenges such as emotional and physical stress, which can lead to caregiver burden. A good sense of coherence (SOC) is crucial in promoting resilience, positive health outcomes, and coping. Caregivers with a high SOC are optimistic about their caregiving roles and finding meaning and purpose in their responsibilities. In this background, we looked into the contextual influences that facilitate or impede the sense of coherence of the family caregivers of patients with chronic conditions requiring home-based long-term care. We conducted telephonic interviews with 10 self-identified primary family caregivers of patients with chronic conditions. We utilized semi-structured interview guidelines, transcribed the interviews verbatim, and performed thematic analysis. Potential factors influencing caregivers' SOC were identified through inductive coding, allowing themes to emerge from the data. However, we report themes along the three components of SOC. Good knowledge about the disease conditions, open communication with care recipients and providers, and past caregiving experiences all contribute to improving comprehensibility. Insufficient knowledge about the condition could be distressing. Effective management requires adapting care strategies through learning, planning, and utilizing available resources, and support networks, too, play a crucial role. However, insufficient caregiver support and neglecting one's health can result in distress and disruptions in care management. Maintaining positive perspectives and ascribed values to interpersonal connections can enhance meaningfulness among caregivers. These interpretations may not apply to caregivers with affective disorders. Various aspects influence the comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness pertaining to the situation of family caregivers, and these in turn impact their well-being and ability to provide quality care. Understanding these factors can help create support systems with targeted interventions and strategies to reduce caregiver burden and improve quality of life.

Caregiving experiences of family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in a community: a qualitative study in Beijing

ObjectivesThis study aims to understand the caregiving experiences of family caregivers of people with schizophrenia in a community.DesignA qualitative study based on phenomenological analysis was conducted through in-depth interviews.SettingThis study...

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on Stress and Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives The study aimed to examine the effects of an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on stress and quality of life levels of family caregivers of cancer patients. Method The study used a randomized controlled trial design with a pre-test (T1), follow-up (T2) and post-test (T3) which was conducted with 104 family caregivers of cancer patients. Data collection was conducted using the Caregiver and Patient Descriptive Information Form, Caregiver’s Stress Scale and The Caregiver Quality of Life Index Cancer Scale. T1 measurements were conducted for experimental (n = 50) and control groups (n = 54). After the 8-week online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program of the experimental group, T2 measurements were taken for both groups. Four weeks later, the T3 measurement was collected for both experimental and control groups. Results A statistically significant difference over time was detected between the mean Caregiver’s Stress Scale scores of the experimental group in the T1, T2, and T3. There was no significant difference in the control group over time. A statistically significant difference was detected in the mean Caregiver Quality of Life Index Cancer Scale total score of the experimental group across T1, T2, and T3. When the scale pre-test mean scores were compared between the groups, no significant differences were detected for T1, but a statistically significant difference was found between the T2 and T3 scores. Conclusion In the study, it was determined that the online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program had an effect on reducing stress and improving the quality of life. Preregistration The research was registered on http://clinicaltrials.gov (ID:NCT05831293).

Effects of a nurse-led therapeutic conversations intervention in stroke patient-family caregiver dyads: A randomized control trial.

Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of family functional care interventions among stroke caregiver dyads. This study aimed to examine the effect of a nurse-led therapeutic conversation intervention on resilience, family function, self-efficacy in managing the disease, and quality of life (QoL) in stroke family caregiver dyads. This study aimed to examine the effect of a nurse-led therapeutic conversation intervention on resilience, family function, self-efficacy in managing the disease, and QoL in stroke-family caregiver dyads. This study was a single-blind (evaluator) randomized controlled trial. The planned execution time was from August 2021 to December 2022, in the rehabilitation ward of a medical university hospital. A total of 82 dyads were included in this analysis. Dyads randomized to the intervention group received nurse-led therapeutic conversations intervention one at four weeks after the patient's hospitalization for a stroke. The family caregiver dyads of stroke survivors in the control group received routine care. An effectiveness analysis that included patients' resilience, self-efficacy, and patient-family caregiver dyads' family function and QoL was conducted at one month. We used the CONSORT Checklist for reporting parallel group randomized trials in this study. The patients in the intervention group showed improvement in resilience and self-efficacy after one month. Furthermore, the effects on resilience (Cohen's d = 0.49) and self-efficacy (Cohen's d = 0.46) were significantly higher than in the control group. Family functioning was significantly higher in patient-family caregiver dyads in the intervention group than in the control group (Cohen's d = 0.55; Cohen's d = 0.50). However, no significant difference in QoL was found between patients and caregivers in either group. The intervention was effective in promoting family functioning and can also promote patient resilience and self-efficacy in disease management. However, the intervention did not have a significant effect on the QoL of patient-family caregiver dyads.

The effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on anxiety and caregiver burden of family caregivers of patients with heart failure: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND: Family members are at the forefront of providing care to patients with chronic illnesses, such as heart failure (HF). Since patient caregiving can affect the mental and physical health of family caregivers, the implementation and training of new psychological interventions by nurses are considered important and necessary for family caregivers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) on anxiety and caregiver burden of family caregivers of patients with HF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental study, in which 91 family caregivers participated. The family caregivers were assigned into two groups of intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 45). Data were collected using a demographic information form, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) developed by Novak and Guest. The intervention group underwent EFT training within six sessions, while the control group received no training. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and absolute and relative frequency) and inferential statistical tests such as Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t-tests were run, and the data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software. RESULTS: The findings showed that the intervention group had a significant improvement in reducing anxiety (P > 0.001). In addition, EFT significantly reduced caregiver burden among family caregivers of HF patients (P > 0.001). CONCLUSION: EFT could significantly reduce anxiety and caregiver burden in family caregivers of patients with HF in our study. Therefore, nurses working in clinical settings are recommended to learn and use EFT to reduce the anxiety and caregiver burden of patients’ family caregivers.

Benefits of Chinese family caregivers of patients with urostomy: a qualitative study.

Family caregivers, also known as informal caregivers, are critical for the home care of patients with urostomy. The present study aimed to investigate the benefits of family caregivers in China while taking care of patients with urostomy from a positive perspective. A qualitative research design was adopted, with a thematic analysis. The qualitative research software NVivo was used for data analysis. Twenty-two family caregivers of urostomy patients participated in an in-depth interview for 60-90 min.A qualitative analysis was performed using a thematic approach in accordance with the six-stage thematic analysis process reported by Braun and Clarke (2006). The following four benefits were identified: mastering knowledge and skills, promoting self-growth, establishing close family ties, and changing the way of life. Among these four themes, 11 sub-themes were constructed by coders. This study provides new insights into intervention measures for family caregivers of patients with urostomy, which could play an important role in developing the overall model of family-centered nursing.

161 Peer Caregiver Navigation for Hospice Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of a 1:1 peer-delivered psychosocial support intervention to family caregivers of hospice patients with cancer, and determine a range of potential effects of the intervention on psychological distress symptoms and perceptions of the caregiving experience. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from hospice caregivers of cancer patients who participated in a non-controlled pilot feasibility trial of a 1:1, peer-delivered psychosocial intervention called Peer Caregiver Navigation (PCN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of delivering PCN to hospice family caregivers of cancer patients, and to determine a range of potential effects of PCN on caregivers’ anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and benefit finding. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. For our study outcomes, we used both parametric and nonparametric t-tests to examine mean differences between outcomes at baseline and midpoint, and baseline and endpoint. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that Peer Caregiver Navigation (PCN) is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible to deliver to hospice family caregivers of cancer patients. Appropriateness of our selected target outcomes was determined by confirming expected measurement change in depressive symptoms (lower), anxiety symptoms (lower), benefit finding (higher), and self-efficacy (higher). Exit interviews revealed that participants responded favorably to our selected measures for these outcomes and to our data collection time intervals. Moreover, recruitment and consenting processes, survey completion rates, and attrition outcomes (i.e., study exit due to active withdrawal vs. patient death) were analyzed to inform recruitment and retention feasibility for future studies. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Peer Caregiver Navigation (PCN) was determined to be feasible, acceptable, and appropriate to hospice family caregivers of patients with cancer. Moreover, PCN has the potential to improve caregivers' symptoms of psychological distress by providing them much needed psychoeducation, coping skills training, and emotional support.