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Specialized palliative care services are associated with improved short- and long-term caregiver outcomes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Abernethy, AP; Currow, DC; Fazekas, BS; Luszcz, MA; Wheeler, JL; Kuchibhatla, M
Published in: Support Care Cancer
June 2008

GOALS OF WORK: The goal of this study was to evaluate, at a population level, the association between specialized palliative care services (SPCS) and short- and long-term caregiver outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Health Omnibus Survey, a face-to-face survey conducted annually in South Australia since 1991, collects health-related data from a rigorously derived, representative sample of 4,400 households. This study included piloted questions in the 2001, 2002, and 2003 Health Omnibus Survey on the impact of SPCS. Sample size was 9,088 individuals. "Unmet needs," a short-term outcome relevant to the caregiving period during a life-limiting illness, were tallied. "Moving on," a long-term caregiver-defined outcome reflecting the caregiver's adaptation and return to a new equilibrium after the death, was assessed with and without SPCS. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent (3,341) indicated that someone close to them had died of a terminal illness in the preceding 5 years, of whom 949 (29%) reported that they provided care. SPCS were involved in caring for 60% of deceased patients. Day-to-day caregivers indicated fewer unmet needs when SPCS were involved (p = 0.0028). More caregivers were able to "move on" with their lives when SPCS were involved than when SPCS were not involved (86 vs 77%, p = 0.0016); this effect was greatest in the first 2 years after the loved one's death. CONCLUSION: At a population level, SPCS were associated with meaningful improvements in short-term ("unmet needs") and long-term ("moving on") caregiver-defined outcomes.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Support Care Cancer

DOI

ISSN

0941-4355

Publication Date

June 2008

Volume

16

Issue

6

Start / End Page

585 / 597

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • South Australia
  • Social Support
  • Palliative Care
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Abernethy, A. P., Currow, D. C., Fazekas, B. S., Luszcz, M. A., Wheeler, J. L., & Kuchibhatla, M. (2008). Specialized palliative care services are associated with improved short- and long-term caregiver outcomes. Support Care Cancer, 16(6), 585–597. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0342-8
Abernethy, Amy P., David C. Currow, Belinda S. Fazekas, Mary A. Luszcz, Jane L. Wheeler, and Maragatha Kuchibhatla. “Specialized palliative care services are associated with improved short- and long-term caregiver outcomes.Support Care Cancer 16, no. 6 (June 2008): 585–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0342-8.
Abernethy AP, Currow DC, Fazekas BS, Luszcz MA, Wheeler JL, Kuchibhatla M. Specialized palliative care services are associated with improved short- and long-term caregiver outcomes. Support Care Cancer. 2008 Jun;16(6):585–97.
Abernethy, Amy P., et al. “Specialized palliative care services are associated with improved short- and long-term caregiver outcomes.Support Care Cancer, vol. 16, no. 6, June 2008, pp. 585–97. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s00520-007-0342-8.
Abernethy AP, Currow DC, Fazekas BS, Luszcz MA, Wheeler JL, Kuchibhatla M. Specialized palliative care services are associated with improved short- and long-term caregiver outcomes. Support Care Cancer. 2008 Jun;16(6):585–597.
Journal cover image

Published In

Support Care Cancer

DOI

ISSN

0941-4355

Publication Date

June 2008

Volume

16

Issue

6

Start / End Page

585 / 597

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Time Factors
  • South Australia
  • Social Support
  • Palliative Care
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Male