Caring for the caregiver.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the quality of life (QOL) and well-being of caregivers of patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy for leukemia and to identify strategies to promote the best possible QOL and well-being for the caregivers.


METHODS
Descriptive, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Ambulatory treatment center of a major comprehensive cancer center in the southern United States.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 194 caregivers of patients receiving chemotherapy for leukemia.


METHODS
Participants completed the Caregiver Quality-of-Life-Cancer Scale, the Caregiver Well-Being Scale, and the Learning Needs Questionnaire developed by the authors. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic characteristics of the caregivers, and exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify meaningful factors.


METHODS
QOL, well-being, and learning needs.


RESULTS
Caregivers identified burden as their most important concern for QOL. Key factors identified with caregivers' well-being were expression of feelings and household maintenance. Caregivers identified giving medications and managing the side effects as crucial to learning needs. Communication, positive attitudes, support, and education were important in promoting QOL for the caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregiving for a patient receiving chemotherapy for leukemia influences the QOL and well-being of the caregiver.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the need for better nurse-caregiver communication and education, particularly in the areas of symptom management and medication administration. Additional research should focus on factors that affect caregivers' QOL, their educational needs, and improved interventions for delivering new information or reinforcing old information.
Tamayo
Geline Joy
GJ
Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA. gtamayo@mdanderson.org
Broxson
Anita
A
Munsell
Mark
M
Cohen
Marlene Z
MZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States