title: Family caregivers' experiences and involvement with cancer pain management.
abstract: The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to describe family caregiver involvement in and perceptions of cancer pain management. A consecutively recruited cohort of 75 patient-caregiver dyads attending an outpatient oncology clinic completed self-report questionnaires comprising standardized and investigator-developed measures of pain behaviours and experiences. Family caregivers reported high levels of confidence and willingness to participate in pain management, and extensive involvement in pain management activities including supporting, decision making, and communicating about pain. At the same time, many caregivers experienced a great deal of distress and some difficulties in performing these activities. The significance and scope of these caregiving experiences suggest that developing the caregiver's ability to effectively contribute to pain management is an important priority in efforts to improve cancer pain management.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Patsy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Sanchia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Skerman
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D015984:Causality; D003142:Communication; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011793:Queensland; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires