A Description of a Psychoeducational Intervention for Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Abstract

Recent trends in health care have placed increased burden on cancer caregivers. In response, nurses and social workers were taught to implement a 6-hour psychoeducational Family Caregiver Cancer Education Program (FCCEP)for cancer caregivers that addresses symptom management, psychosocial support, and resource identification. Baseline characteristics from a convenience sample of 750 caregivers who attended a FCCEP andfilled out program evaluation questionnaires are reported. Factors affecting the successful implementation of the FCCEP are described. Nurses need to be alert to the range of tasks and the skills that families need to perform this role so that they can incorporate family teaching about key areas. Nurses must also be aware of the potentialforfatigue and frustration among caregivers who are working 24 hours a day, without relief.