PURPOSE: Lung cancer and its treatment impose many demands on family caregivers, which may increase their risk for distress. However, little research has documented aspects of the caregiving experience that are especially challenging for distressed caregivers of lung cancer patients. This study aimed to explore caregivers' key challenges in coping with their family member's lung cancer. METHODS: Single, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 distressed family caregivers of lung cancer patients. RESULTS: Caregivers described three key challenges in coping with their family member's lung cancer. The most common challenge, identified by 38 % of caregivers, was a profound sense of uncertainty regarding the future as they attempted to understand the patient's prognosis and potential for functional decline. Another key challenge, identified by 33 % of caregivers, involved time-consuming efforts to manage the patient's emotional reactions to the illness. Other caregivers (14 %) characterized practical tasks, such as coordinating the patient's medical care, as their greatest challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that clinical efforts are needed to assist distressed caregivers in providing practical and emotional support to the patient and attending to their own emotional needs.
PURPOSE:Lung cancer and its treatment impose many demands on family caregivers, which may increase their risk for distress. However, little research has documented aspects of the caregiving experience that are especially challenging for distressed caregivers of lung cancerpatients. This study aimed to explore caregivers' key challenges in coping with their family member's lung cancer. METHODS: Single, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 distressed family caregivers of lung cancerpatients. RESULTS: Caregivers described three key challenges in coping with their family member's lung cancer. The most common challenge, identified by 38 % of caregivers, was a profound sense of uncertainty regarding the future as they attempted to understand the patient's prognosis and potential for functional decline. Another key challenge, identified by 33 % of caregivers, involved time-consuming efforts to manage the patient's emotional reactions to the illness. Other caregivers (14 %) characterized practical tasks, such as coordinating the patient's medical care, as their greatest challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that clinical efforts are needed to assist distressed caregivers in providing practical and emotional support to the patient and attending to their own emotional needs.
Authors: C Nijboer; R Tempelaar; R Sanderman; M Triemstra; R J Spruijt; G A van den Bos Journal: Psychooncology Date: 1998 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Eva Grunfeld; Doug Coyle; Timothy Whelan; Jennifer Clinch; Leonard Reyno; Craig C Earle; Andrew Willan; Raymond Viola; Marjorie Coristine; Teresa Janz; Robert Glossop Journal: CMAJ Date: 2004-06-08 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Allison J Applebaum; Aliza A Panjwani; Kara Buda; Mia S O'Toole; Michael A Hoyt; Adam Garcia; David M Fresco; Douglas S Mennin Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2020-05-20 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Catherine E Mosher; Joseph G Winger; Nasser Hanna; Shadia I Jalal; Lawrence H Einhorn; Thomas J Birdas; DuyKhanh P Ceppa; Kenneth A Kesler; Jordan Schmitt; Deborah A Kashy; Victoria L Champion Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2016-07-09 Impact factor: 3.612
Authors: Kathrin Milbury; Hoda Badr; Frank Fossella; Katherine M Pisters; Cindy L Carmack Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2013-04-02 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Satish K Kedia; Kenneth D Ward; Siri A Digney; Bianca M Jackson; April L Nellum; Laura McHugh; Kristina S Roark; Orion T Osborne; Fayre J Crossley; Nicholas Faris; Raymond U Osarogiagbon Journal: Transl Lung Cancer Res Date: 2015-08