A Critical Review of Supportive Interventions for Family Caregivers of Patients with Palliative-Stage Cancer

Abstract

The impact of supporting a dying family member has frequently been reported as extremely challenging. In addition, family members of dying cancer patients have consistently identified a need for additional guidance and support from health care professionals. Provision of high-quality palliative care services should include strategic support for families of patients confronted with a life-threatening diagnosis. To date, however, few published strategies clearly identify the most effective means of providing family support. The author seeks to provide a critical evaluation of past supportive interventions for family caregivers of dying cancer patients. The report confirms an urgent need for new supportive-care strategies for families to be tested. In addition, the review offers recommendations for designing and evaluating future family caregiver interventions. Psychoeducational interventions evaluated via randomized controlled trials are considered to be a priority.

Key Words:

• Family caregivers
• palliative care
• research
• interventions