Effectiveness of a “home care model” for oral cancer patients on the home care competency of their caregivers

Background: Cancer can occur to everyone regardless of sex, age, culture, socioeconomic status, and geographical area. Various forms of cancer strike at different age, ethnic, gender groups with severity, and varying frequency. Objective: The study objectives were as follows: (1) To develop and implement a home care model on home care competency of caregivers and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of home care model on home care competency of caregivers. Materials and Methods: For this study, a quantitative research approach was used to develop and implement a home care model on home care competency (knowledge and practice) of caregivers. A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was used in the study. The study was conducted in a selected hospital, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select the study subject. Data were collected from 40 caregivers of oral cancer patients using a structured knowledge questionnaire, structured self-report nutritional practice checklist, and structured observational wound care checklist. Results: The mean post-test practice scores and knowledge scores (18.75, 12.82, and 7.55) were higher than mean pre-test practice scores and knowledge scores (11.95, 8.85, and 4.23) which were found statistically significant at P < 0.05. The mean percentage area-wise distribution of knowledge regarding nutritional management at pre-test was 51% and wound care management was 55%, which was improved for both (81%) at post-test. No significant association was found between knowledge and practice except occupation. Minor correlation was found between post-test knowledge and post-test practice scores. Conclusion: It is concluded that home care competency program was found effective to improve the knowledge and practice of caregivers of oral cancer patients.