OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of patient and caregiver emotional distress; examine the sources of their distress, review evidence-based interventions that can reduce distress, and provide guidelines for assessment and intervention. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed publications. CONCLUSION: There is a significant, reciprocal relationship between patient and caregiver emotional distress. Sources of distress vary by phase of illness. Evidence-based interventions can reduce distress and anxiety, but often are not implemented in practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses need to assess patients and family caregivers for distress and intervene to reduce distress by fostering patient-caregiver teamwork, communication, and self-care; providing information; and referring to resources as needed.
OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of patient and caregiver emotional distress; examine the sources of their distress, review evidence-based interventions that can reduce distress, and provide guidelines for assessment and intervention. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed publications. CONCLUSION: There is a significant, reciprocal relationship between patient and caregiver emotional distress. Sources of distress vary by phase of illness. Evidence-based interventions can reduce distress and anxiety, but often are not implemented in practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses need to assess patients and family caregivers for distress and intervene to reduce distress by fostering patient-caregiver teamwork, communication, and self-care; providing information; and referring to resources as needed.
Authors: Katrina R Ellis; Mary R Janevic; Trace Kershaw; Cleopatra H Caldwell; Nancy K Janz; Laurel Northouse Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-09-08 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Sophie Schur; Alexandra Ebert-Vogel; Michaela Amering; Eva Katharina Masel; Marie Neubauer; Andrea Schrott; Ingrid Sibitz; Herbert Watzke; Beate Schrank Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2014-05-09 Impact factor: 3.603