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dc.contributor.authorAoun, Samar
dc.contributor.authorDeas, K.
dc.contributor.authorHowting, D.
dc.contributor.authorLee, G.
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T14:47:22Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T14:47:22Z
dc.date.created2016-01-18T20:00:34Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.identifier.citationAoun, S. and Deas, K. and Howting, D. and Lee, G. 2015. Exploring the Support Needs of Family Caregivers of Patients with Brain Cancer Using the CSNAT: A Comparative Study with Other Cancer Groups. PLoS One. 10 (12): Article ID 0145106.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/40978
dc.identifier.doi10.1371/journal.pone.0145106
dc.description.abstract

A substantial burden is placed on family caregivers of patients diagnosed with brain cancers. Despite this, the support needs of the caregivers are often under-recognised and not addressed adequately in current routine and patient centred clinical care. The Care Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) is a validated instrument designed to systematically identify and address caregiver needs. It has been trialled in an Australian palliative care community setting using a stepped wedge cluster design involving 322 family carers of terminally ill patients. The current article reports on a subset from this trial, 29 caregivers of patients with primary brain cancer, and compares their profile and outcomes to those of other cancer groups. Caregiver strain was assessed using the Family Appraisal of Caregiving Questionnaire, caregiver physical and mental wellbeing using SF12 and caregiver workload using a questionnaire on support with activities of daily living (ADL). In comparison to caregivers of patients with all other cancers, the primary brain cancer group had significantly higher levels of caregiver strain, lower levels of mental wellbeing and a higher level of ADL workload. Their physical wellness also deteriorated significantly over time.An action plan approach led to practical solutions for addressing highlighted concerns. Four themes evolved from the family caregivers’ feedback interviews: The extremely challenging caregiver experience with brain cancer; the systematic and practical approach of the CSNAT during rapid changes; connection with health professionals, feeling acknowledged and empowered; and timely advice and assurance of support during the caregiving journey. This preliminary study has demonstrated that the CSNAT provides a practical and useful tool for assessing the support needs of family caregivers of patients with brain cancer and has provided the basis for a larger scale, longitudinal study that allows a more detailed characterisation of the evolving caregiver needs at different stages of the disease.

dc.titleExploring the Support Needs of Family Caregivers of Patients with Brain Cancer Using the CSNAT: A Comparative Study with Other Cancer Groups
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume10
dcterms.source.number12
dcterms.source.titlePLoS One
curtin.note

This open access article is distributed under the Creative Commons license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

curtin.note

22 Jan 2016: Aoun SM, Deas K, Howting D, Lee G (2016) Correction: Exploring the Support Needs of Family Caregivers of Patients with Brain Cancer Using the CSNAT: A Comparative Study with Other Cancer Groups. PLoS ONE 11(1): e0148074. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148074 View correction

curtin.departmentSchool of Nursing and Midwifery
curtin.accessStatusOpen access


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