title: Can assessing caregiver needs and activating community networks improve caregiver-defined outcomes? A single-blind, quasi-experimental pilot study: community facilitator pilot.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the unit of care in palliative care is defined as the patient and their family, there are few rigorous studies on how to improve support for family and friends as they take on the role of caregiver for someone at the end of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Separate to patient evaluation and care, this pilot study aimed to define the feasibility and possible outcome measures to evaluate routine assessments and supports specifically for caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a quasi-experimental design, two communities were included: one received standard specialist palliative care support and one additionally was allocated to a community network facilitator who assessed caregivers' needs and helped mobilize the caregiver's own support network or initiated contact with other community supports in three planned visits. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks using three caregiver assessment tools. Within group comparisons were made using Wilcoxon signed rank test and between group using the Mann-Whitney U-test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six caregivers participated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 8 weeks, participants in the intervention arm showed significant within-group improvement in caregiver fatigue, sufficient support from others, decreased resentment in the role, greater confidence in asking for assistance and were better able to find resources and support. No between-group changes were seen in this pilot study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were objective measures of improved support within the intervention group over time for caregivers through the active engagement of the community network facilitator. This pilot supports the case for an adequately powered study.
authors.affiliation: Discipline, Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Daw Park, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Aine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Sanchia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tieman
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fazekas
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Currow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012944:Social Support