Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Apr;30(4):3451-3461.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06655-2. Epub 2022 Jan 9.

Identifying the prevalence of unmet supportive care needs among family caregivers of cancer patients: an Italian investigation on home palliative care setting

Veronica Zavagli  1 , Melania Raccichini  2 , Rita Ostan  2 , Giacomo Ercolani  2 , Luca Franchini  2 , Silvia Varani  2 , Raffaella Pannuti  2
Affiliations

Identifying the prevalence of unmet supportive care needs among family caregivers of cancer patients: an Italian investigation on home palliative care setting

Veronica Zavagli et al. Support Care Cancer. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: Family caregivers (FCs) are crucial resources in caring for cancer patients at home. The aim of this investigation was (1) to measure the prevalence of unmet needs reported by FCs of cancer patients in home palliative care, and (2) to investigate whether their needs change as their socio-demographic characteristics and the patients' functional abilities change.

Methods: FCs completed a battery of self-report questionnaires, including the Cancer Caregiving Tasks, Consequences, and Needs (CaTCoN).

Results: Data were collected from 251 FCs (74 men and 177 women, mean age 58.5 ± 14.2 years). Most of the participants experienced a substantial caregiving workload related to practical help (89.8%), provided some or a lot of personal care (73.1%), and psychological support (67.7%) to patients. More than half of the FCs reported that the patient's disease caused them negative physical effects (62.7%). Emotional, psychosocial, and psychological needs were referred. Some FCs reported that the patient's disease caused them a lot of stress (57.3%) and that they did not have enough time for friends/acquaintances (69.5%) and family (55.7%). The need to see a psychologist also emerged (44.0%). Age, caregiving duration, and patients' functional status correlated with FCs' unmet needs. Women reported more negative social, physical, and psychological consequences and a more frequent need to talk to a psychologist.

Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated that cancer caregiving is burdensome. The results can guide the development and implementation of tailored programs or support policies so that FCs can provide appropriate care to patients while preserving their own well-being.

Keywords: Cancer; Caregiving; Family caregivers; Home care; Palliative care; Unmet needs.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Grov EK, Dahl AA, Fosså SD et al (2006) Global quality of life in primary caregivers of patients with cancer in palliative phase staying at home. Support Care Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-006-0026-9 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Robison J, Fortinsky R, Kleppinger A et al (2009) A broader view of family caregiving: effects of caregiving and caregiver conditions on depressive symptoms, health, work, and social isolation. J Gerontol Ser B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 64B:788–798. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbp015 - DOI
    1. Ahmed S, Naqvi SF, Sinnarajah A et al (2020) Patient and caregiver experiences with advanced cancer care: a qualitative study informing the development of an early palliative care pathway. BMJ Support Palliat Care bmjspcare-2020-002578. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002578
    1. Zavagli V, Miglietta E, Varani S et al (2016) Associations between caregiving worries and psychophysical well-being. An investigation on home-cared cancer patients family caregivers. Support Care Cancer 24:857–863. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2854-y - DOI - PubMed
    1. WHO (2020) Palliative Care - World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care

LinkOut - more resources