Oct 3, 2017
This episode features Wendy Duggleby (University of
Alberta, Edmonton, Canada) who describes a study which
aimed to (a) explore the transition experience of family
caregivers caring for persons with advanced cancer living in the
community, (b) describe potential triggers for transitions,
(c) identify what influences this experience, and (d) develop a
conceptual framework of their transition experience.
The study was a meta-synthesis review of qualitative (and
mixed-method) research, which described caregiving experiences
of family caregivers for community-living persons with
advanced cancer at the end of life. Seventy-two studies were
included.
The study reports how family caregivers experience a “life
transition” whereby their lives are permanently altered. The
participants described the process of redefining normal which
consisted of coming to terms with their situation and connecting
with others. Outcomes of these processes were as follows: (a)
maintaining a sense of personhood, (b) reframing hope, (c)
maintaining self-efficacy, (d) finding meaning, and (e) preparing
for the death of their care recipient. The take home message
is that family caregivers will reuire support to deal with
these significant changes; however, positive outcomes are possible
when based on evidence. These findings provide a framework to
guide the development of supportive programs and future
research. Full paper available from: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269216316673548