Empowerment from patient's and caregiver's perspective in cancer care. Issue 2 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marzorati, Chiara; Bailo, Luca; Mazzocco, Ketti; Pravettoni, Gabriella
• Is Part Of: Health psychology open. Volume 5:Issue 2(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: health surveys -- neoplasm -- patient participation -- proxy -- psycho-oncology; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/2055102918815318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-1029

Abstract

The caregivers' perceptions of the patients' health condition may be biased and induce them to perceive higher needs than patients actually disclose. Our aim was to assess if the level of knowledge and awareness about cancer disease and treatment, and patient participation and assistance differs between caregivers and patients. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted across five countries (Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, France and Germany) on a total of 510 participants who directly (patient) or indirectly (caregiver) faced a cancer diagnosis. Investigating this divergence could help to identify possible difficulties in patient–caregiver relationship, eventually improving patient empowerment.