FamCASP-A Support Model for Individualised Support for Family Members in Routine Cancer Care: Development and...

A cancer diagnosis may have negative consequences on family members' health and well-being. Although support for family members has been stressed for decades, family members continue to report unmet needs for support. Suggested explanations are the lack of individualisation and the lack of implementation. Therefore, the overall aim of this project is to develop and evaluate a support model for individualised support in routine cancer care. The objective of this paper is to describe the support model's development and validation.

To address the complex phenomenon of offering individualised support for family members in routine cancer care, we applied a dynamic multi-method approach, guided by the Medical Research Council's Framework for Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions. The support model was developed with healthcare professionals, family members, and stakeholders to ensure relevance and applicability. The development and validation involved a literature review, qualitative interviews, and repeated consultations. Ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained.

The FamCASP support model is a nurse-led, interprofessional model for structured yet individualised support for family members to prevent cancer-related illnesses in routine cancer care. It consists of two parts-one generic model and diagnosis-specific modules-and is adaptable to local contexts and allows for the integration of existing support.

Throughout the support model development, local (national) fit was emphasised, which may limit international application. Further, to this date, only one diagnose-specific module has been developed (colorectal cancer). Hence, the applicability of the support model in other contexts needs further exploration.

Through concurrent consideration of family members' needs and prerequisites for support in routine care, a tailored support model was developed and assessed as relevant, usable and implementable by healthcare professionals, family members and stakeholders. Evaluations of feasibility and effectiveness are warranted prior to implementation.