title: A pilot study on the influence of an individualized and experiential training on cancer caregiver's self-efficacy in home care and symptom management.
abstract: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate if an individualized and experiential training can promote family caregiver's confidence (self-efficacy) in home care and symptom management. The study was conducted in a hematology/oncology unit in a southeastern regional medical center. Twenty informal cancer caregivers participated in the study. The individualized and experiential training was conducted at the bedside prior to patient's hospital discharge. Self-efficacy in home care and cancer symptom management was measured using the Cancer Caregiver Self-Efficacy Measure before and after training, and at 1 week after hospital discharge of cancer patients. Results of the study showed mean Cancer Caregiver Self-Efficacy Measure increased by 41.1 points immediately after the training (z = 4.49, p < 0.001) and was 31.7 points higher at 1-week follow-up (z = 3.22, p < 0.01). The findings of this study suggest that individualized and experiential training may be another avenue for nurses, including home care nurses, to support family home caregiving. By helping family members in home care, favorable patient outcomes may be achieved, enabling older patients with cancer to stay longer in the comfort of their homes.
authors.affiliation: Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA. cristina.hendrix@duke.edu
authors.forename: Cristina C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hendrix
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sloane
authors.forename: Joey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Misuraca
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006699:Home Care Services; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D015144:Southeastern United States; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires