Support interventions for families of people with terminal cancer in palliative care.

Support interventions for families of people with terminal cancer in palliative care.
Palliat Support Care. 2020 Feb 26;:1-9
Authors: Areia NP, Góngora JN, Major S, Oliveira VD, Relvas AP
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The terminal phase of cancer represents a major crisis for the family system. Regardless of the caregiving role they undertake, family members are forced to address multiple impacts when facing the approaching death of their terminally ill loved one. International guidelines recognize the importance of integrating the family into a care plan. However, more needs to be known about how to deliver optimal family support. The purpose of this study is to review the current state of the art in family/caregiver-focused interventions of people with terminal cancer in palliative care.
METHOD: For this purpose, an overview of the literature's systematic reviews on the topic was conducted to select Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) on family/caregiver-focused interventions.
RESULTS: Nine interventions were found in the systematic reviews of literature and meta-analysis. These family/caregiver-focused interventions were then thoroughly and critically analyzed. Despite the heterogeneity with regard to their characteristics, the interventions commonly focused on caregiving matters, were brief in duration, and delivered by non-mental health experts. The efficacy of such interventions was seen as modest.
SIGNIFICANCE O...

Source: Palliative and Supportive Care - February 25, 2020 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Areia NP, Góngora JN, Major S, Oliveira VD, Relvas AP Tags: Palliat Support Care Source Type: research