title: Development and evaluation of an intervention to support family caregivers of people with cancer to provide home-based care at the end of life: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To design and evaluate an intervention to address carers' needs for practical information and support skills when caring for a person with cancer at end of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phase I 29 carers were interviewed about need for practical information, support skills and their preferences for information delivery. The preferred format was a booklet. Phase 2 evaluated the booklet. 31 carers and 14 district nurses participated. Validated questionnaires: on perceptions of caregiving and carer health before and after the booklet was used and interviews with both carers and nurses were untertaken.24 carers completed both interviews. Quantitative data were coded using scale manuals and analysed using SPSSv20 and interview data was analysed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carers were aged 31-82 and cared for people aged 50-92; 8 carers were male and 23 female; 20 cared for a partner, 8 for a parent and 1 for a sibling (2 undisclosed). Carers were positive about the booklet, however many carers would have liked the booklet earlier. Carers reported feeling more positive about caregiving, and more reassured and competent in their role. District nurses found the booklet useful and reported receiving fewer phone calls from study carers than others in similar situations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The booklet intervention was a source of reassurance to carers and it has the potential to be incorporated into everyday practice. The challenge is in when and how to distribute the booklet and more work is required on the timing of delivery in order to maximise the usefulness of booklet to carers.
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Electronic address: Karen.A.Luker@manchester.ac.uk.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Luker
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Electronic address: Mary.Cooke@manchester.ac.uk.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cooke
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Electronic address: Laurie.Dunn@manchester.ac.uk.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dunn
authors: Academic Palliative and Supportive Care Studies Group, Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, Department of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK. Electronic address: Mlw@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lloyd-Williams
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Electronic address: Mark.Pilling@manchester.ac.uk.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pilling
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Electronic address: Chris.Todd@manchester.ac.uk.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Todd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012944:Social Support; D013727:Terminal Care
keywords: Cancer; Caregivers; End of life; Home-based care; Intervention; Palliative care; Practical skills