A survey of the supportive care needs of informal caregivers of adult bone marrow transplant patients

TY - JOUR

T1 - A survey of the supportive care needs of informal caregivers of adult bone marrow transplant patients

AU - Armoogum, J.

AU - Richardson, A.

AU - Armes, J.

PY - 2013/4

Y1 - 2013/4

N2 - PurposeThis study aims to describe the supportive care needs of informal caregivers (ICG) of adult bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. In addition, we explored relationships between levels of unmet need, psychological morbidity and patient and ICG characteristics.Methods and sampleWe invited patients within 24 months of BMT to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Consenting patients asked their ICG to complete and return the questionnaire booklet. Measures included the Supportive Care Needs Survey Partners and Carers and General Health Questionnaire.Key resultsTwo hundred patients were approached, and 98 completed questionnaires were received (response rate = 49 %). We found high unmet need and psychological morbidity among ICGs and an association between ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity. Patient functioning, particularly anxiety and depression, sexual dysfunction and resumption of usual activities impacted on ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity. No associations were found between ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity and the following variables: type of BMT, time from BMT, ICG gender, number of dependents and patient age.ConclusionICG of BMT patients have high levels of unmet need and psychological morbidity in the months that follow a BMT. This highlights the importance of thorough needs assessment to ensure limited resources are targeted to those most in need.

AB - PurposeThis study aims to describe the supportive care needs of informal caregivers (ICG) of adult bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. In addition, we explored relationships between levels of unmet need, psychological morbidity and patient and ICG characteristics.Methods and sampleWe invited patients within 24 months of BMT to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Consenting patients asked their ICG to complete and return the questionnaire booklet. Measures included the Supportive Care Needs Survey Partners and Carers and General Health Questionnaire.Key resultsTwo hundred patients were approached, and 98 completed questionnaires were received (response rate = 49 %). We found high unmet need and psychological morbidity among ICGs and an association between ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity. Patient functioning, particularly anxiety and depression, sexual dysfunction and resumption of usual activities impacted on ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity. No associations were found between ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity and the following variables: type of BMT, time from BMT, ICG gender, number of dependents and patient age.ConclusionICG of BMT patients have high levels of unmet need and psychological morbidity in the months that follow a BMT. This highlights the importance of thorough needs assessment to ensure limited resources are targeted to those most in need.

KW - DISTRESS

KW - BLOOD

KW - QUALITY-OF-LIFE

KW - BMT

KW - Supportive care needs

KW - Informal caregivers

KW - FAMILY CAREGIVERS

KW - EXPERIENCE

KW - STEM-CELL TRANSPLANTATION

KW - UNMET NEEDS

KW - SURVIVORS

KW - CANCER-PATIENTS

KW - Carers

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879796756&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s00520-012-1615-4

DO - 10.1007/s00520-012-1615-4

M3 - Article

C2 - 23085720

SN - 0941-4355

VL - 21

SP - 977

EP - 986

JO - Supportive Care in Cancer

JF - Supportive Care in Cancer

IS - 4

ER -