[Multidisciplinary intervention program for caregivers of patients in a home care program].
OBJECTIVE
To improve quality of life, anxiety and depression in caregivers of patients in home care.


METHODS
We performed a randomized clinical trial in 79 main caregivers (39 control group and 40 intervention group) of patients in the home care program of a primary care health center between 2000 and 2001. Quality of life, anxiety and depression were measured by the COOP/WONCA and Goldberg questionnaires, respectively, at the beginning and at the end of the study. Interventions consisted of two medical visits to take a bio-psychosocial history of the caregiver and a nurse visit for health education. Two letters, adapted to each carer's needs, were sent and two telephone calls were made.


RESULTS
The intervention group scored significantly better than the control group in relation to WONCA-feelings (p=0.03), WONCA-social activities (p=0.05), and WONCA-quality of life (p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
A short multidisciplinary intervention program adapted to routine consultations could prevent deterioration in caregivers' quality of life.
Guerrero Caballero
Laura
L
Area Básica de Salt, Unidad Docente de Girona, Institut Català de la Salut, Salt, Girona, Spain. neuburk@hotmail.com
Ramos Blanes
Rafel
R
Alcolado Aranda
Ana
A
López Dolcet
Maria Josep
MJ
Pons La Laguna
Juan Lucas
JL
Quesada Sabaté
Miquel
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires