Efficacy of a telephone outcall program to reduce caregiver burden among caregivers of cancer patients [PROTECT]: a randomised controlled trial

BMC Cancer

Melinda Williams¹  Kate M. Fennell²  Anna Boltong³  Cadeyrn J. Gaskin⁴  Cathrine Mihalopoulos⁵  Richard H. Osborne⁵  David M. Ashley⁶  Leila Heckel⁶  Mari Botti⁶  Patricia M. Livingston⁶  Jacquie Chirgwin⁷  John Reynolds⁸ 

[1] Barwon South Western Regional Integrated Cancer Service;Cancer Council SA;Cancer Council Victoria;Deakin University, Faculty of Health, Biostatistics Unit;Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development;Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery;Eastern Health, Department of Oncology;Monash University, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences;

关键词: Telephone intervention;    Caregivers;    Cancer;    RCT;    Caregiver burden;    Unmet needs;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12885-017-3961-6

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Informal caregivers provide extended support to people with cancer but they receive little support from the health care system to assist them in their caring role. The aim of this single-blind, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial was to test the efficacy of a telephone outcall program to reduce caregiver burden and unmet needs, and improve psychological well-being among cancer caregivers, as well as evaluating the potential impact on patient outcomes. Methods Cancer patient/caregiver dyads (N = 216) were randomised to a telephone outcall program (n = 108) or attention control group (n = 108). The primary outcome was self-reported caregiver burden. Secondary endpoints included depressive symptoms, unmet needs, self-esteem, self-empowerment, and health literacy. Data were collected at baseline and at both 1 and 6 months post-intervention. An intention to treat analysis was performed. Results The intervention had no effect on the primary outcome (caregiver burden), but reduced the number of caregiver unmet needs (intervention group baseline, mean = 2.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.91–3.54]; intervention group 1 month post intervention, mean = 0.85, 95%CI [0.42–1.44]; control group baseline, mean = 1.30 95%CI [0.80–1.94], control group 1 month post intervention, mean = 1.02 95%CI [0.52–1.69]; p = 0.023). For caregivers at risk for depression, the intervention had a significant effect on caregivers’ confidence in having sufficient information to manage their health (p = 0.040). No effects were found for patients’ depressive symptoms, unmet needs, self-empowerment, and other health literacy domains. Conclusions While caregiver burden was not reduced, the outcall program was effective in reducing unmet needs in caregivers. Provision of cancer information and support via a telephone service may represent a feasible approach to reducing unmet needs among cancer caregiver populations. Trial registration ACTRN12613000731796 ; prospectively registered on 02/07/2013.

【 授权许可】

Unknown