User login
Introducing palliative care in combination with standard oncology care immediately following a cancer diagnosis results in improved quality of life and lower incidence of depression for caregivers of cancer patients.
“The integration of palliative care can improve patient care but the evidence is lacking about whether or not there are benefits [for] caregivers,” Dr. Areej El-Jawahri of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, said in a presscast leading up to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“This study suggests that early palliative care creates a powerful positive feedback loop in families facing cancer. While patients receive a direct benefit from early palliative care, their caregivers experience a positive downstream effect, which may make it easier for them to care for their loved ones,” she said.
Investigators enrolled 275 family caregivers of patients newly diagnosed with incurable lung or gastrointestinal cancers. Patients were randomly assigned to receive early palliative care in addition to standard oncology care or to receive standard oncology care alone.
Palliative care involved a multifaceted team including nurses, social workers, and psychologists. The palliative care intervention was patient focused, and caregivers, who were defined as a relative or friend identified by the patient as the primary caregiver, were not required to attend palliative care appointments. However, about 50% of caregivers did attend, according to Dr. El-Jawahri.
At time of enrollment and then at time points 12 and 14 weeks post enrollment, caregivers completed standard questionnaires, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, that assessed quality of life and mood.
Twelve weeks after the cancer diagnosis, caregivers who received early palliative care reported significantly lower depression symptoms while vitality and social functioning improved. For patients who did not receive early palliative care, their caregivers’ vitality and social functioning decreased.
“This is the first study showing a positive impact of a patient-focused palliative care intervention on family caregivers,” said Dr. El-Jawahri.
“This study really points out that we have so many ways to help our patients and their families,” Dr. Julie Vose, president of ASCO, said during the presscast.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
Introducing palliative care in combination with standard oncology care immediately following a cancer diagnosis results in improved quality of life and lower incidence of depression for caregivers of cancer patients.
“The integration of palliative care can improve patient care but the evidence is lacking about whether or not there are benefits [for] caregivers,” Dr. Areej El-Jawahri of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, said in a presscast leading up to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“This study suggests that early palliative care creates a powerful positive feedback loop in families facing cancer. While patients receive a direct benefit from early palliative care, their caregivers experience a positive downstream effect, which may make it easier for them to care for their loved ones,” she said.
Investigators enrolled 275 family caregivers of patients newly diagnosed with incurable lung or gastrointestinal cancers. Patients were randomly assigned to receive early palliative care in addition to standard oncology care or to receive standard oncology care alone.
Palliative care involved a multifaceted team including nurses, social workers, and psychologists. The palliative care intervention was patient focused, and caregivers, who were defined as a relative or friend identified by the patient as the primary caregiver, were not required to attend palliative care appointments. However, about 50% of caregivers did attend, according to Dr. El-Jawahri.
At time of enrollment and then at time points 12 and 14 weeks post enrollment, caregivers completed standard questionnaires, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, that assessed quality of life and mood.
Twelve weeks after the cancer diagnosis, caregivers who received early palliative care reported significantly lower depression symptoms while vitality and social functioning improved. For patients who did not receive early palliative care, their caregivers’ vitality and social functioning decreased.
“This is the first study showing a positive impact of a patient-focused palliative care intervention on family caregivers,” said Dr. El-Jawahri.
“This study really points out that we have so many ways to help our patients and their families,” Dr. Julie Vose, president of ASCO, said during the presscast.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
Introducing palliative care in combination with standard oncology care immediately following a cancer diagnosis results in improved quality of life and lower incidence of depression for caregivers of cancer patients.
“The integration of palliative care can improve patient care but the evidence is lacking about whether or not there are benefits [for] caregivers,” Dr. Areej El-Jawahri of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, said in a presscast leading up to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“This study suggests that early palliative care creates a powerful positive feedback loop in families facing cancer. While patients receive a direct benefit from early palliative care, their caregivers experience a positive downstream effect, which may make it easier for them to care for their loved ones,” she said.
Investigators enrolled 275 family caregivers of patients newly diagnosed with incurable lung or gastrointestinal cancers. Patients were randomly assigned to receive early palliative care in addition to standard oncology care or to receive standard oncology care alone.
Palliative care involved a multifaceted team including nurses, social workers, and psychologists. The palliative care intervention was patient focused, and caregivers, who were defined as a relative or friend identified by the patient as the primary caregiver, were not required to attend palliative care appointments. However, about 50% of caregivers did attend, according to Dr. El-Jawahri.
At time of enrollment and then at time points 12 and 14 weeks post enrollment, caregivers completed standard questionnaires, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, that assessed quality of life and mood.
Twelve weeks after the cancer diagnosis, caregivers who received early palliative care reported significantly lower depression symptoms while vitality and social functioning improved. For patients who did not receive early palliative care, their caregivers’ vitality and social functioning decreased.
“This is the first study showing a positive impact of a patient-focused palliative care intervention on family caregivers,” said Dr. El-Jawahri.
“This study really points out that we have so many ways to help our patients and their families,” Dr. Julie Vose, president of ASCO, said during the presscast.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
FROM THE 2016 ASCO ANNUAL MEETING
Key clinical point: Early palliative care for cancer patients improved quality of life and lowered the incidence of depression for caregivers.
Major finding: After 12 weeks, caregivers of patients who received early palliative care reported significantly lower depression symptoms. Vitality and social functioning also improved.
Data source: A randomized clinical trial of 275 family caregivers of patients newly diagnosed with incurable lung or gastrointestinal cancers.
Disclosures: The National Institutes of Health funded the study. Three of the investigators reported serving in advisory roles or receiving financial compensation or honoraria from several companies.