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Support interventions for families of people with terminal cancer in palliative care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2020

Neide P. Areia Open the ORCID record for Neide P. Areia [Opens in a new window] ,
José N. Góngora ,
Sofia Major ,
Vivianne D. Oliveira  and
Ana P. Relvas
Neide P. Areia*
Affiliation:
Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
José N. Góngora
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
Sofia Major
Affiliation:
Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Azores, Azores, Portugal
Vivianne D. Oliveira
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Ana P. Relvas
Affiliation:
Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
*
Author for correspondence: Neide P. Areia, Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra, Colégio de S. Jerónimo, Apartado 3087, 3000-995Coimbra, Portugal. E-mail: neideareia@ces.uc.pt
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Abstract

Objective

The terminal phase of cancer represents a major crisis for the family system. Regardless of the caregiving role they undertake, family members are forced to address multiple impacts when facing the approaching death of their terminally ill loved one. International guidelines recognize the importance of integrating the family into a care plan. However, more needs to be known about how to deliver optimal family support. The purpose of this study is to review the current state of the art in family/caregiver-focused interventions of people with terminal cancer in palliative care.

Method

For this purpose, an overview of the literature's systematic reviews on the topic was conducted to select Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) on family/caregiver-focused interventions.

Results

Nine interventions were found in the systematic reviews of literature and meta-analysis. These family/caregiver-focused interventions were then thoroughly and critically analyzed. Despite the heterogeneity with regard to their characteristics, the interventions commonly focused on caregiving matters, were brief in duration, and delivered by non-mental health experts. The efficacy of such interventions was seen as modest.

Significance of results

Family/caregiver-focused interventions in palliative care remain a matter of concern and more research is needed to identify adequate and effective ways of helping families that face the crisis of terminal illness in the system.

Keywords

CaregiverFamilyInterventionPalliative careTerminal cancer
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 18 , Issue 5 , October 2020 , pp. 580 - 588
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

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