Self-Management Support for Cancer Patients and Caregivers
Author Information
Author(s): Sylvie Lambert, Erica E. M. Moodie, Jane McCusker, Marion Lokhorst, Cheryl Harris, Tori Langmuir, Eric Belzile, Andréa Maria Laizner, Lydia Ould Brahim, Sydney Wasserman, Sarah Chehayeb, Michael Vickers, Lindsay Duncan, Mary Jane Esplen, Christine Maheu, Doris Howell, Manon de Raad
Primary Institution: McGill University
Hypothesis
Can a stepped-care approach improve self-management interventions for cancer patients and their caregivers?
Conclusion
The study suggests that a three-step approach to dyadic self-management support is feasible and warrants further testing.
Supporting Evidence
- Feasibility was supported by a low refusal rate at ≤ 30% and < 10% missing data.
- 87% of participants found the booklets helpful.
- All patients who were stepped-up in Stage 2 benefited from their new assignment.
Takeaway
This study helps cancer patients and their caregivers learn how to manage their challenges better, using a step-by-step approach.
Methodology
A pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) was conducted with 48 patients and their caregivers, assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a self-management intervention.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the non-blinding of participants to group allocation.
Limitations
The study had a lack of diversity in caregiver relationships and ethnicity, and the sample was well-educated, which may affect generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Patients had a mean age of 69.9 years, and caregivers had a mean age of 66.6 years, with a gender ratio of 31:69 for patients and 46:54 for caregivers.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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