The development of a Family Caregiver Cancer Education Program

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Cancer Caregiver Support
• Health Education Programs

Background:

• Increasing trend of early hospital discharge for cancer patients necessitates home care by family members.
• Family caregivers face significant fear, anxiety, and stress due to patient well-being concerns, caregiving demands, and treatment costs.
• Transitioning cancer patients home presents substantial challenges for unpaid family caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Family Caregivers Cancer Education Program in supporting home-based cancer caregivers.
• To address the educational and emotional needs of family members caring for cancer patients post-discharge.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Family Caregivers Cancer Education Program, including a Local Instructor Course for healthcare professionals.
• Focus groups were utilized to inform and refine the curriculum content for the caregiver course.
• Program delivery involved education and support for family caregivers and training for nurse and social worker teams.

Main Results:

• Participant evaluations indicated a reduction in feelings of being overwhelmed among caregivers who completed the course.
• Caregivers reported enhanced ability to cope with the demands of the cancer caregiving experience.
• The program provided valuable materials, information, and support to caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Conclusions:

• The Family Caregivers Cancer Education Program effectively mitigates caregiver distress and improves coping mechanisms.
• The program demonstrates a positive impact on the well-being and confidence of family members providing home cancer care.
• Investing in such educational programs is crucial for supporting the growing population of home-based cancer caregivers.