Family caregiver outcomes after participating in a Hospital-based family involvement program after major gastrointestinal surgery: a subgroup analysis of a patient preferred cohort study

Selma Cw Musters; Sani Kreca; Susan van Dieren; Hanneke van der Wal-Huisman; Johannes A Romijn; Wendy Chaboyer; Els Jm Nieveen van Dijkum; Anne M Eskes; ARTIS Consortium

doi:10.1097/JS9.0000000000001473

Family caregiver outcomes after participating in a Hospital-based family involvement program after major gastrointestinal surgery: a subgroup analysis of a patient preferred cohort study

Int J Surg. 2024 Apr 15. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001473. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Selma Cw Musters^{1

2}, Sani Kreca^{1

2}, Susan van Dieren^{1

2}, Hanneke van der Wal-Huisman³, Johannes A Romijn⁴, Wendy Chaboyer⁵, Els Jm Nieveen van Dijkum^{1

2

6}, Anne M Eskes^{1

2

5

6}; ARTIS Consortium

Affiliations

¹ Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Surgery, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
² Cancer Center Amsterdam, Treatment and quality of life, Amsterdam, Meibergdeef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
³ Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands.
⁴ Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
⁵ Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Gold Coast, G01 2.03 Gold Coast campus Griffith University, QLD 4222, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Health, Center of Expertise Urban Vitality, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

PMID: 38626415
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001473

Abstract

Background: Engaging families in postsurgical care is potentially beneficial for improving cancer patient outcomes and quality of care. We developed a family involvement program (FIP) and in this study, we aim to evaluate the impact of the FIP on family caregiver burden and well-being. Moreover, we aim to assess the fidelity of the program.

Materials and methods: This is a preplanned subgroup analysis of a patient-preferred prospective cohort study that included family caregivers of patients who underwent major oncological surgery for gastrointestinal tumors. Only patient-nominated family caregivers could participate in the FIP. Caregivers received structured training in fundamental caregiving tasks from healthcare professionals and then actively participated in these tasks. Caregiver burden and wellbeing were measured four times (at hospital admission, at hospital discharge, and at one and three months post-hospital discharge) using the Caregiver Strain Index+ (CSI+) and the Care-related Quality of Life instrument (CarerQoL-7D). The fidelity of the FIP was assessed by recording completion of care activities. In addition, family caregivers were asked whether they would participate in the FIP again.

Results: Most of the 152 family caregivers were female (77.6%), and their mean age was 61.3 years (SD=11.6). Median CSI+ scores ranged between -1 and 0 and remained below the cutoff point of experiencing burden. CarerQoL-7D results indicated no significant differences in family caregivers' well-being over time. Upon discharge, over 75% of the family caregivers stated that they would recommend the FIP to others. The highest compliance with all fundamental care activities was observed during postoperative days 2 to 4.

Conclusion: The family caregivers of oncological surgical patients who participated in the FIP exhibited acceptable levels of caregiver burden and well-being. These findings suggest that the FIP is a valuable intervention to equip family caregivers with the skills to navigate the uncertain period following a patient's hospital discharge.