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- Title
Identifying the concerns of informal carers in palliative care.
- Authors
Payne, S; Smith, P; Dean, S
- Abstract
The purpose of this preliminary study was to identify the perceived support needs of informal carers (families and friends) of cancer patients receiving palliative care in the community. Changes in policy mean that increasing numbers of palliative care patients receive the majority of their care at home. This potentially places heavy demands on families and friends. Thirty-nine informal carers were recruited from two areas in southern England. Data were obtained on psychological morbidity (General Health Questionnaire), and caregiving burden (Carer Strain Index), and a semistructured interview was used to elicit data on perceptions of caring. Results indicate that 33 (84%) reported above normal levels of psychological distress and 16 (41%) experienced high levels of strain related to caregiving. Younger age and being female were found to be correlated with psychological morbidity and strain. Participants also reported life restrictions, emotional distress and limited support.
- Subjects
CAREGIVERS; CANCER patients; PALLIATIVE treatment
- Publication
Palliative Medicine, 1999, Vol 13, Issue 1, p37
- ISSN
0269-2163
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1191/026921699666872524