title: Caring for caregivers and patients: Research and clinical priorities for informal cancer caregiving.
abstract: Informal/family caregivers are a fundamental source of care for cancer patients in the United States, yet the population of caregivers and their tasks, psychosocial needs, and health outcomes are not well understood. Changes in the nature of cancer care and its delivery, along with the growing population of survivors and their caregivers, warrant increased attention to the roles and demands of caregiving. This article reviews current evidence presented at a 2-day meeting examining the state of the science of informal cancer caregiving that was convened by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Nursing Research. The meeting sought to define who is an informal cancer caregiver, summarize the state of the science in informal cancer caregiving, and describe both the kinds of interventions developed to address caregiving challenges and the various outcomes used to evaluate their impact. This article offers recommendations for moving science forward in 4 areas: 1) improving the estimation of the prevalence and burden of informal cancer caregiving; 2) advancing the development of interventions designed to improve outcomes for cancer patients, caregivers, and patient-caregiver dyads; 3) generating and testing strategies for integrating caregivers into formal health care settings; and 4) promoting the use of technology to support informal cancer caregivers. Cancer 2016;122:1987-95. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Julia H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Laurel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Northouse
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Litzelman
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Wen-Ying Sylvia
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Nonniekaye
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shelburne
authors.affiliation: Division of Science Policy and Public Liaison, National Institute of Nursing Research, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Timura
authors.affiliation: Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Mara
authors.affiliation: Division of Extramural Science Programs, Office of Extramural Programs, National Institute of Nursing Research, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Huss
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D000072858:Psychosocial Support Systems; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States
keywords: behavioral science; cancer; family caregivers; neoplasms; supportive care; technology