title: Part 1: Home-based family caregiving at the end of life: a comprehensive review of published quantitative research (1998-2008).
abstract: The changing context of palliative care over the last decade highlights the importance of recent research on home-based family caregiving at the end of life. This article reports on a comprehensive review of quantitative research (1998-2008) in this area, utilizing a systematic approach targeting studies on family caregivers, home settings, and an identified palliative phase of care (n = 129). Methodological challenges were identified, including: small, non-random, convenience samples; reliance on descriptive and bivariate analyses; and a dearth of longitudinal research. Robust evidence regarding causal relationships between predictor variables and carer outcomes is lacking. Findings suggest the need for knowledge regarding: family caregiving for patients with non-malignant terminal conditions; whether needs and outcomes differ between family caregivers at the end of life and comparison groups; and caregiver outcomes in bereavement. Clear definitions of 'family caregiving', 'end of life', and 'needs' are required as well as greater application and testing of theoretical and conceptual explanations.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Centre on Aging, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. kis@uvic.ca
authors.forename: Ki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stajduhar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toye
authors.forename: Ge
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.forename: Cj
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D001601:Bereavement; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013727:Terminal Care; D019452:Terminally Ill