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Effects of enhanced caregiver training program on cancer caregiver’s self-efficacy, preparedness, and psychological well-being

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Abstract

Purpose

We examined the effects of an enhanced informal caregiver training (Enhanced-CT) protocol in cancer symptom and caregiver stress management to caregivers of hospitalized cancer patients.

Methods

We recruited adult patients in oncology units and their informal caregivers. We utilized a two-armed, randomized controlled trial design with data collected at baseline, post-training, and at 2 and 4 weeks after hospital discharge. Primary outcomes were self-efficacy for managing patients’ cancer symptoms and caregiver stress and preparedness for caregiving. Secondary outcomes were caregiver depression, anxiety, and burden. The education comparison (EDUC) group received information about community resources. We used general linear models to test for differences in the Enhanced-CT relative to the EDUC group.

Results

We consented and randomized 138 dyads: Enhanced-CT = 68 and EDUC = 70. The Enhanced-CT group had a greater increase in caregiver self-efficacy for cancer symptom management and stress management and preparation for caregiving at the post-training assessment compared to the EDUC group but not at 2- and 4-week post-discharge assessments. There were no intervention group differences in depression, anxiety, and burden.

Conclusion

An Enhanced-CT protocol resulted in short-term improvements in self-efficacy for managing patients’ cancer symptoms and caregiver stress and preparedness for caregiving but not in caregivers’ psychological well-being. The lack of sustained effects may be related to the single-dose nature of our intervention and the changing needs of informal caregivers after hospital discharge.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Iris Pounds, Margaret Falkovic, Melanie Paige, Sarah Garrigues, Sophia Duong, and Terry Ervin for their assistance. We also extend our gratitude to Duke oncology unit staff and to all study participants for their time and effort.

Funding support

This study was funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (P01 NR010948; Clinical Trials identifier NCT00938769). Dr. Abby J. Schwartz receives support from the National Institutes of Health grant number T32 AG000029.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors have full control of all primary data and agree to allow the journal to review the data if requested.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of Duke University Health System Institutional Review Board and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, DUMC 3322, Room 3080, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Cristina C. Hendrix & Donald E. Bailey Jr

  2. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical GRECC, 508 Fulton St. Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    Cristina C. Hendrix

  3. Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Box 3003 DUMC, Room 3502 Busse Building, Blue Zone, Duke South Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Cristina C. Hendrix, Donald E. Bailey Jr & Abby J. Schwartz

  4. Center of Excellence for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    Karen E. Steinhauser, Maren K. Olsen & Karen M. Stechuchak

  5. Duke Palliative Care, Duke University Health System, DUMC 2706, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Karen E. Steinhauser & James A. Tulsky

  6. Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC 2706, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Karen E. Steinhauser, Maren K. Olsen, Sarah G. Lowman & James A. Tulsky

  7. Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 3198, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Richard F. Riedel

  8. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 3159, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Francis J. Keefe & Laura S. Porter

Authors
  1. Cristina C. Hendrix
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  2. Donald E. Bailey Jr
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  3. Karen E. Steinhauser
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  4. Maren K. Olsen
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  6. Sarah G. Lowman
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  7. Abby J. Schwartz
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  8. Richard F. Riedel
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  9. Francis J. Keefe
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  10. Laura S. Porter
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  11. James A. Tulsky
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abby J. Schwartz.

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Hendrix, C.C., Bailey, D.E., Steinhauser, K.E. et al. Effects of enhanced caregiver training program on cancer caregiver’s self-efficacy, preparedness, and psychological well-being. Support Care Cancer 24, 327–336 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2797-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2797-3

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