Communication between Caregivers of Adults with Cancer and Healthcare Professionals: a Review of Communication Experiences, Associated Factors, Outcomes, and Interventions.
Ying Wang, Christopher L Seplaki, Sally A Norton, AnnaLynn M Williams, Sindhuja Kadambi, Kah Poh Loh
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose of review: Family/unpaid caregivers play an important role in cancer care. This review aims to summarize caregiver communication experiences with healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Recent findings: The Caregiver-Centered Communication model defines five core functions that HCPs should achieve when interacting with caregivers, including fostering relationships, exchanging information, recognizing and responding to caregiver emotions, aiding in decision making, and assisting in patient care management. The literature shows that caregivers have both positive and negative communication experiences with HCPs with respect to these five core functions. Factors at the caregiver (e.g., demographic characteristics, information sources, caregiving duration, health status), patient (e.g., demographic and clinical characteristics), and HCP levels (e.g., time constraints in clinical settings, communication skills) are associated with caregiver-HCP communication quality. Studies further show that these communication experiences may affect caregiver outcomes, including quality of life, mental health, resilience, and satisfaction with cancer care. Moreover, poor quality caregiver-HCP communication is associated with patient readmission to the hospital and unmet care needs. Interventions for caregivers or patient-caregiver dyads have been shown to enhance caregiver confidence and increase their engagement in communication with HCPs. Interventions for HCPs have shown efficacy in improving their communication skills, particularly in involving caregivers in decision-making discussions. Given time constraints during medical visits, we suggest conducting a caregiver assessment by navigators prior to visits to understand their communication needs. Additionally, reimbursing HCPs for time spent communicating with caregivers during visits could be beneficial. More research is needed to better understand how to enhance caregiver-HCP communication quality.
期刊介绍:
This journal aims to review the most important, recently published clinical findings in the field of oncology. By providing clear, insightful, balanced contributions by international experts, the journal intends to serve all those involved in the care of those affected by cancer.
We accomplish this aim by appointing international authorities to serve as Section Editors in key subject areas, such as cancer prevention, leukemia, melanoma, neuro-oncology, and palliative medicine. Section Editors, in turn, select topics for which leading experts contribute comprehensive review articles that emphasize new developments and recently published papers of major importance, highlighted by annotated reference lists. An international Editorial Board reviews the annual table of contents, suggests articles of special interest to their country/region, and ensures that topics are current and include emerging research. Commentaries from well-known figures in the field are also provided.