Attitudes to increased involvement of relatives in the care of cancer patients. Evaluation of an activation program.
The present study explored whether an "activation program" for relatives of cancer patients increases the frequency and duration of the relatives' visits at the hospital. It also explored the willingness of relatives to participate in patient care at the hospital and at home. Similarly, the patients' willingness to contribute to this process was examined. Relatives offered an activation program were compared by interview with relatives subjected to a routine program. Interviews were repeated at intervals of 3-4 weeks. The attitude of 67 relatives (31 in the activation group and 36 in the comparison group) were examined twice during the patient's treatment period. Of these relatives, a subgroup of 42 (22 in the activation group and 20 in the comparison group) experienced the death of the patient during the study period. At the time of the last interview, there was a difference between the groups in relatives' willingness to care for the patient at home. Contrary to expectations, more of the relatives (of all patients receiving treatment as well as the subgroup of patients who died) in the activation group were "completely unwilling" to care for the patient at home (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively).
Häggmark
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Department of Clinical Oncology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
D001290:Attitude; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000523:psychology*