Abstract
Resilience for family carers of advanced cancer patients—how can health care providers contribute? A qualitative interview study with carers
Show all authors
Ingebrigt Røen, Hans Stifoss-Hanssen, Gunn Grande, ...
First Published June 1, 2018 Research Article
Download PDFPDF download for Resilience for family carers of advanced cancer patients—how can health care providers contribute? A qualitative interview study with carers Article information
Article has an altmetric score of 1 Full Access
Article Information
Article first published online: June 1, 2018
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216318777656
Ingebrigt Røen1, 2, Hans Stifoss-Hanssen3, Gunn Grande4, Anne-Tove Brenne1, 5, Stein Kaasa1, 6, Kari Sand1, Anne Kari Knudsen1, 6
1European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC), Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
2St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
3Center of Diakonia and Professional Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
4Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, England
5Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
6Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
Corresponding Author: Ingebrigt Røen, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, 4.etg. Kunnskapssenteret Vest, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway. Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Background:
Caring for advanced cancer patients affects carers’ psychological and physical health. Resilience has been defined as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of threat.”
Aim:
The aim of this study was to explore factors promoting carer resilience, based on carers’ experiences with and preferences for health care provider support.
Design:
Qualitative, semi-structured, individual interviews with family carers of advanced cancer patients were performed until data saturation. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using systematic text condensation.
Setting/participants:
Carers (n = 14) of advanced cancer patients, not receiving curative treatment, admitted to an integrated curative and palliative care cancer outpatient clinic or to a university hospital cancer clinic, were included.
Results:
14 carers of advanced cancer patients were included; 7 men, 7 women, and mean age of 59 years; 3 were bereaved; 12 were partners; 5 had young and teenage children. Four main resilience factors were identified: (1) being seen and known by health care providers—a personal relation; (2) availability of palliative care; (3) information and communication about illness, prognosis, and death; and (4) facilitating a good carer–patient relation.
Conclusion:
Health care providers may enhance carers’ resilience by a series of simple interventions. Education should address carers’ support needs and resilience. Systematic assessment of carers’ support needs is recommended. Further investigation is needed into how health care providers can help carers and patients communicate about death.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | Palliative Medicine |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 1 Jun 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2018 |
Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms
- Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing