S C Andrews1. 1. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute in Tampa, FL, USA. andrews@moffitt.usf.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between caregiver burden and symptom distress in patients with terminal cancer who are enrolled in hospice. DESIGN: Descriptive, quantitative. SETTING: A large, metropolitan, nonprofit-based organization in west central Florida. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 30 patient-caregiver dyads enrolled in hospice. METHODS: Caregivers completed the Caregiver Reaction Scale to measure the level of caregiver burden; patients completed the Adopted Symptom Distress Scale. Results were correlated using a Pearson correlation. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Symptom distress and caregiver burden. FINDINGS: The patient sample exhibited low symptom distress, and the caregiver sample exhibited moderate caregiver burden. A statistically significant moderate correlation existed between symptom distress and caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS: The significant moderate correlation confirms the idea that caregiver burden and patient symptom distress are related. Future studies are needed to obtain a more representative sample of caregivers of patients closer to death, even if those patients are nonresponsive. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This information can assist hospice nurses in assessing and formulating targeted care for symptom distress and caregiver burden in their patients,
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between caregiver burden and symptom distress in patients with terminal cancer who are enrolled in hospice. DESIGN: Descriptive, quantitative. SETTING: A large, metropolitan, nonprofit-based organization in west central Florida. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 30 patient-caregiver dyads enrolled in hospice. METHODS: Caregivers completed the Caregiver Reaction Scale to measure the level of caregiver burden; patients completed the Adopted Symptom Distress Scale. Results were correlated using a Pearson correlation. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Symptom distress and caregiver burden. FINDINGS: The patient sample exhibited low symptom distress, and the caregiver sample exhibited moderate caregiver burden. A statistically significant moderate correlation existed between symptom distress and caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS: The significant moderate correlation confirms the idea that caregiver burden and patient symptom distress are related. Future studies are needed to obtain a more representative sample of caregivers of patients closer to death, even if those patients are nonresponsive. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This information can assist hospice nurses in assessing and formulating targeted care for symptom distress and caregiver burden in their patients,
Authors: Michelle Y Martin; Sara Sanders; Joan M Griffin; Robert A Oster; Christine Ritchie; Sean M Phelan; Audie A Atienza; Katherine Kahn; Michelle van Ryn Journal: Cancer Nurs Date: 2012 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.592
Authors: Jessica M Sautter; James A Tulsky; Kimberly S Johnson; Maren K Olsen; Allison M Burton-Chase; Jennifer Hoff Lindquist; Sheryl Zimmerman; Karen E Steinhauser Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2014-05-06 Impact factor: 5.562