Authors: Dexter L Cooper Barbara D Powe Tenbroeck Smith
Publish Date: 2013/05/25
Volume: 21, Issue: 10, Pages: 2719-2725
Abstract
Cancer is the second most common condition among people over 50 behind only dementia associated with caregiving As treatments improve the number of cancer caregivers will increase However there is limited research about AfricanAmerican cancer caregivers AACCsCancer patients from a regional safety net hospital nominated family caregivers who helped them after their cancer diagnosis Consented caregivers were interviewed in the waiting room while the patient received treatment or later by phone using the Modified Caregiver Strain Index MCSI five structured interview questions and demographic questions—20 min Responses to the interview questions were processed using Miles and Huberman’s content analysis guide Descriptive statistics for demographics and the MCSI were performed using SPSSOf the 45 AACCs 64 had medical conditions Caregivers reported patients’ pain 31 stress 9 and nausea 7 as the most common symptoms AACCs most commonly provided instrumental 67 or emotional 42 support spiritual 20 and informational 20 support were less commonThe research reported in this manuscript has been funded through the American Cancer Society’s Intramural Research Department and it has received Internal Review Board approval The authors assume full responsibility and interpretation of these data We would also like to thank the participants for contributing their time in support of this study
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