Identifying priorities for cancer caregiver interventions: protocol for a three-round modified Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Caregiver Support
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Cancer is increasingly viewed as a chronic illness, necessitating significant support for patients and their caregivers.
• Caregiver support interventions are crucial for managing the patient's illness trajectory, yet optimal approaches remain undefined.
• A lack of consensus exists regarding the most effective strategies for supporting cancer caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish expert consensus on critical factors for developing and evaluating interventions for cancer caregivers.
• To inform the design of evidence-based support programs tailored to the needs of informal caregivers.
• To identify key elements for improving caregiver outcomes and well-being.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi study employing online methodology.
• Three rounds of questionnaires: Round 1 (free-text), Round 2 (Likert-scale ratings), and Round 3 (re-evaluation with aggregate feedback).
• Utilizing the Patient problem, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework to guide factor identification and consensus-building.

Main Results:

• Expert panel engagement in identifying and prioritizing factors for caregiver interventions.
• Quantitative data (median scores, IQR) and qualitative comments to assess factor importance and consensus levels.
• Development of priority lists based on aggregated expert ratings.

Conclusions:

• The modified Delphi study protocol provides a structured approach to achieving expert consensus on cancer caregiver intervention development.
• Findings will guide the creation of more effective and targeted support strategies for cancer caregivers.
• This research aims to enhance the quality of life for both cancer patients and their informal support networks.