The effectiveness of a nurse‐led intervention to support family caregivers in end‐of‐life care: Study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Becqué, Yvonne N.; Rietjens, Judith A. C.; van der Heide, Agnes; Witkamp, Erica
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced nursing. Volume 76:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 1266
• Page End: 1272
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: burden -- end‐of‐life care -- family caregivers -- needs‐assessment -- nursing -- nursing intervention -- preparedness caregiving -- support -- trial; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jan.14326
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-2402

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of a structured nurse‐led supportive intervention and its effects on family caregivers in end‐of‐life care at home. Background: Family caregivers are crucial in end‐of‐life care. They may experience burden due to the responsibilities associated with caregiving. Some family caregivers feel insufficiently prepared for their caregiver role. Nurses have a unique position to provide supportive interventions at home to reduce caregivers' burden and improve preparedness. However, few nurse‐led interventions are available to support family caregivers in end‐of‐life care at home. Design: We will perform a cluster randomized controlled trial. The clusters consist of twelve home care services, randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. Methods: The study population consists of family caregivers of patients in the last phase of life. In the intervention group, nurses will systematically assess the supportive needs of family caregivers, using an assessment tool and the method of clinical reasoning. Family members of the control group receive care as usual. Primary outcome is burden measured by the Self‐Rated Burden Scale. Secondary outcomes are preparedness for caregiving, caregiving reactions and acute (hospital) admissions of the patient. In addition, the feasibility of the intervention will be evaluated. The study was funded in October 2016 and was ethically approved in April 2019. Impact: Findings from this study will contribute to the scientific and practical knowledge of nursing interventions to support family caregivers in end‐of‐life care. Trial registration: The Netherlands Trial Register (NL7702). Abstract : 目的: 评价由护士主导的结构化支持性干预的可行性及其对家庭照护人员在家庭临终关怀中的影响。 背景: 家庭照护人员在临终关怀中发挥至关重要的作用。他们可能会因照护相关责任而承受压力。一些家庭照护人员觉得自己未就承担照护人员角色做好充分准备。护士具有独特的地位, 可在家里提供支持性的干预措施, 以减轻照护人员的负担, 使其做好准备。然而, 很少有护士主导的干预措施可用于支持家庭照护人员在家中提供临终关怀。 设计: 本研究采用群组随机对照试验。该群组由12名家庭照护服务人员组成, 随机分为干预组或对照组两组。 方法: 研究人群由负责患者生命最后阶段的家庭照护人员组成。在干预组中, 护士将使用评估工具和临床推理方法, 对家庭照护人员的支持性需求展开系统地评估。对照组中的家庭成员照常接受照护。主要结果为按照负担自评量表所衡量的负担情况。次要结果为照护准备程度, 照护反应和因急性疾病(住院)入院的病人。此外, 还将对干预的可行性进行评估。该研究于2016年10月获得资助, 并于2019年4月获得伦理批准。 影响: 本研究的结果将有助于发展护理干预的科学和实践知识, 以支持家庭照护人员进行临终关怀。 试验注册: 荷兰试验注册库(NL7702)。