Improving the psychological wellbeing of family caregivers of home based palliative care patients: A randomised controlled trial

Evaluating the effect of carer education and support from a palliative care nurse on the psychological wellbeing of family caregivers of home based palliative care patients: A randomised controlled trial

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12608000621314

Enrollment

300

Registered

2008-12-08

Start date

2008-04-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

This study will examine the effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention aimed at promoting coping and psychological wellbeing in family caregivers caring for a relative receiving home based palliative care. The intervention will be offered in a full version (two home visits and one phone call) and the 'rural' format (one home visit and two phone calls). The main hypotheses are: 1. Primary family caregivers who receive the intervention will report: increased perceived competence for their caregiving role; increased perceived preparedness for their caregiving role; increased positive emotions associated with their role; decreased unmet informational needs; decreased levels of psychological distress, when compared with caregivers in the control group one week after the intervention. 2. Family caregivers receiving the intervention will report decreased levels of psychological distress when compared to controls 3 months following bereavement.

Interventions

Three sessions with a palliative care nurse to provide carers with education and support relating to the role of caring for someone receiving home based palliative care. Sessions are approximately one hour in length and are conducted weekly. During the sessions, carers are provided with a resource pack which includes a family carer guidebook, a relaxation CD, and relevant service brochures. In addition, the nurse also assesses carer needs and develops a care plan to address carer needs.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Educational / counselling / training

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Primary carers of patients who are admitted to home based community palliative care services. Patients must have cancer and a primary caregiver/next of kin (NOK). Carers must be over 18 years and be able to read and write English.

Exclusion criteria

Patients who do not have cancer and/or do not have a primary caregiver/NOK. Carers who are unable to read and write English

Outcome results