Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to (1) identify the changes of five domains of family caregiver (FC) burden, overall burden and its sub-trajectories when caring for newly-diagnosed advanced lung cancer patients during the first six months following cancer diagnosis; and (2) identify the FC- and patient-related factors most associated with the overall FC burden and each of its sub-trajectories.
Methods
150 newly-diagnosed advanced lung cancer patient-FC dyads were recruited from a Taiwanese medical center. The overall FC burden was evaluated four times: before treatment, and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. The potential sub-trajectory of the caregiver burden was investigated by latent class growth analysis. The FC- and patient-related factors having the greatest effect on the overall FC burden and its sub-trajectories over time were identified by generalized estimating equations.
Results
The highest level of burden domain was "Impact on daily schedule" over time. Generally, most of the FC reported a moderate level of overall burden over the investigation period. Three sub-trajectories of the overall FC burden over time (% caregivers) were identified: high burden (34.7%), moderate burden (56.0%), and low burden (9.3%), respectively. The self-efficacy of FC was the strongest factor related to the changes of the FC's burden and burden in each sub-trajectory.
Conclusion
The results support the existing and different types of sub-trajectories of the FC's burden. Health care professionals should provide care based on those differences. Further research to test interventions which integrate those important factors related to FC's burden, particularly FC's self-efficacy, is strongly suggested.
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