title: A survey of the supportive care needs of informal caregivers of adult bone marrow transplant patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to describe the supportive care needs of informal caregivers (ICG) of adult bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. In addition, we explored relationships between levels of unmet need, psychological morbidity and patient and ICG characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  We invited patients within 24 months of BMT to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Consenting patients asked their ICG to complete and return the questionnaire booklet. Measures included the Supportive Care Needs Survey Partners and Carers and General Health Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred patients were approached, and 98 completed questionnaires were received (response rate = 49 %). We found high unmet need and psychological morbidity among ICGs and an association between ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity. Patient functioning, particularly anxiety and depression, sexual dysfunction and resumption of usual activities impacted on ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity. No associations were found between ICG unmet need and psychological morbidity and the following variables: type of BMT, time from BMT, ICG gender, number of dependents and patient age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICG of BMT patients have high levels of unmet need and psychological morbidity in the months that follow a BMT. This highlights the importance of thorough needs assessment to ensure limited resources are targeted to those most in need.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of The West of England, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Stapleton, Bristol, BS16 1DD, UK. juliearmoogum@yahoo.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armoogum
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000451:nursing*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010166:Palliative Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult