title: An analysis of educational and learning needs of cancer patients and unrelated family caregivers.
abstract: Family caregiving involves the provision of care by family members and self-care by patients, with the two groups participating together in illness-related care. A convenience sample of 100 patients and 100 unrelated family caregivers were surveyed to examine their perceptions of the caregiving skills they perform, the difficulty they experience in performing certain skills, and their associated learning needs. Descriptive analysis of data revealed differences in the type of activities patients and caregivers perform, the perceived difficulty of caregiving tasks, and their need for assistance. Uncertainty about disease stage poses important implications for educators.
authors.affiliation: Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. pap1212@bjc.org
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deshields
authors.forename: Marilee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuhrik
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuhrik
authors.forename: JoAnn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rihanek
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult