The supportive care needs of regional and remote cancer caregivers
Journal article
Stiller, Anna, Goodwin, Belinda C., Crawford-williams, Fiona, March, Sonja, Ireland, Michael, Aitken, Joanne F., Dunn, Jeffery and Chambers, Suzanne K.. (2021). The supportive care needs of regional and remote cancer caregivers. Current Oncology Reports. 28(4), pp. 3041-3057. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol28040266
Authors | Stiller, Anna, Goodwin, Belinda C., Crawford-williams, Fiona, March, Sonja, Ireland, Michael, Aitken, Joanne F., Dunn, Jeffery and Chambers, Suzanne K. |
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Abstract | Objective: As cancer survival rates continue to increase, so will the demand for care from family and friends, particularly in more isolated settings. This study aims to examine the needs of cancer caregivers in regional and remote Australia. Methods: A total of 239 informal (i.e., non-professional) cancer caregivers (e.g., family/friends) from regional and remote Queensland, Australia, completed the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool for Cancer Caregivers (CNAT-C). The frequencies of individuals reporting specific needs were calculated. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between unmet needs and demographic characteristics and cancer type. Results: The most frequently endorsed needs were lodging near hospital (77%), information about the disease (74%), and tests and treatment (74%). The most frequent unmet needs were treatment near home (37%), help with economic burden (32%), and concerns about the person being cared for (32%). Younger and female caregivers were significantly more likely to report unmet needs overall (OR = 2.12; OR = 0.58), and unmet healthcare staff needs (OR = 0.35; OR = 1.99, respectively). Unmet family and social support needs were also significantly more likely among younger caregivers (OR = 0.35). Caregivers of breast cancer patients (OR = 0.43) and older caregivers (OR = 0.53) were significantly less likely to report unmet health and psychology needs. Proportions of participants reporting needs were largely similar across demographic groups and cancer type with some exceptions. Conclusions: Caregiver health, practical issues associated with travel, and emotional strain are all areas where regional and remote caregivers require more support. Caregivers’ age and gender, time since diagnosis and patient cancer type should be considered when determining the most appropriate supportive care. |
Keywords | cancer; caregivers; supportive care needs; rural; regional and remote |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Current Oncology Reports |
Journal citation | 28 (4), pp. 3041-3057 |
Publisher | MDPI AG |
ISSN | 1198-0052 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol28040266 |
PubMed ID | 34436032 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85113178974 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC8395470 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 3041-3057 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 09 Aug 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 03 Aug 2021 |
Deposited | 22 Nov 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8x1q1/the-supportive-care-needs-of-regional-and-remote-cancer-caregivers
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Publisher's version
OA_Stiller_2021_The_supportive_care_needs_of_regional.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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