The Role and Influence of Prostate Cancer Caregivers Across the Care Continuum. Issue 3 (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Piervil, Esther; Odedina, Folakemi; Young, Mary Ellen
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 20:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 436
• Page End: 444
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: prostate cancer -- family caregiving -- Black men -- qualitative secondary analysis; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/1524839918764667
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

Background . Black men endure a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality related to prostate cancer (CaP). Increasingly family members are assuming the role of providing care and support to family members with chronic disease. Understanding the role and influence of the caregiver is a necessary part of developing resources to assist individuals learning to provide care. Aim . The analysis aimed to explore CaP survivors' perceptions of the role and influence of family caregivers to better understand existing opportunities for improving experiences and outcomes for both the caregiver and the care receiver. Design. Secondary analysis of qualitative interview transcripts. Data were analyzed to explore new inquiries related to CaP survivors' perceptions of family caregivers' role and influence at each stage of care. Content analysis was used to group data into established categories. Data Source. Data included qualitative interview transcripts with 32 CaP survivors from the Florida Prostate Cancer Care and Survivorship Project. Results . The role of the family caregiver is complex. Caregivers in this community seem to have a significant influence on behavior modification and cues to action for Black men with prostate cancer. According to the men in this group, caregivers functioned as normalizing agents, coordinating care and creating a new normal, throughout the various stages of care and survivorship. Conclusions . Findings inform areas for future research to develop culturally tailored health promotion programs designed to improve outcomes and address the needs of both the family caregiver and the care receiver across the care continuum.