title: Caregivers of people at the end of life: emerging evidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review aims to identify and highlight recent evidence from studies that aim to improve outcomes for caregivers of patients living with life-limiting progressive conditions. It appears that although the volume and quality of studies reporting outcomes for this population is increasing, there is still a paucity of evidence that has reliable quality and can inform policy and practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One trial has been reported, which found that a one-to-one psychoeducational intervention found no change in distress at 1 week after intervention but found improvements in preparedness and competence. Follow-up data at 8 weeks found that distress worsened significantly less for those with one home visit but surprisingly not for those who received two visits (in this three-arm trial) compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the evidence of outcome studies is small, the research agenda is broadening to include nontraditional families and caregivers in low-and middle-income countries.The recent trial of psychoeducational interventions suggests that longer-term benefits are present.
authors.affiliation: King's College London, Cicely Saunders Institute, Department of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, London, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harding
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013727:Terminal Care