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Improving Clinical and Family Communication for Adult Child Caregivers of a Parent with a Blood Cancer: A Single-Arm Pre-Post Pilot Intervention
Carma L. Bylund;
Easton N. Wollney;
Gemme Campbell-Salome;
Allison J. Applebaum;
Samantha R. Paige;
Kennan DeGruccio;
Elisa Weiss;
Maria Sae-Hau;
Jason Arnold;
Domenic Durante;
Tithi B. Amin;
Chelsea N. Hampton;
Carla L. Fisher
ABSTRACT
Background:
Caregivers of parents with cancer may face challenges when communicating with the patient and other family members, communicating during clinical interactions, and navigating online information seeking.
Objective:
Objective:
We developed and pilot-tested the Healthy Communication PracticeTM program for caregivers of parents with a blood cancer, which aims to help participants learn and implement communication skills central to caregiving. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the training.
Methods:
Methods:
Eligible participants completed a pre-program survey. Participants had two weeks to complete the 2-part, 90-minute online program and completed a post-program survey that included program evaluation items and the acceptability of intervention (AIM) scale using a 1-5 rating (5=strongly agree).
Results:
Results:
Of 50 caregivers who initially expressed interest, 34 consented, and 30 completed the program and both surveys (88% completion rate). Caregivers had a mean age of 45 years and provided care for parents who had a mean age of 73 years (9.10). Caregivers were primarily daughters (n=22). Overall, scores on the AIM scale were high (M=4.48). Specifically, caregivers felt the content met caregivers’ communication needs (M=4.58) and their own needs as a caregiver of a parent with a blood cancer (M=4.39).
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
We demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the Healthy Communication Practice program, which aims to enhance family and clinical communication skills among caregivers of a parent with a blood cancer. Future studies will examine the efficacy of the program and its impact on both caregiver and patient communication and health outcomes.
Citation
Please cite as:
Bylund CL, Wollney EN, Campbell-Salome G, Applebaum AJ, Paige SR, DeGruccio K, Weiss E, Sae-Hau M, Arnold J, Durante D, Amin TB, Hampton CN, Fisher CL
Improving Clinical and Family Communication for Adult Child Caregivers of a Parent With a Blood Cancer: Single-Arm Pre-Post Pilot Intervention