Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2004 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition).
Vol 22, No 14S (July 15 Supplement), 2004: 8029
© 2004 American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Abstract

Palliative care services help caregivers move on with their lives

Duke Univiversity Medical Center, Durham, NC; Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia

8029

Background: Palliative care practitioners consider loved ones close to the patient as part of the "unit of care". The objective of this study is to use a population-based strategy to evaluate the impact of palliative care services (PCS) on the loved ones of deceased individuals. Methods: Questions on the need for, uptake rate of, and impact of PCS were included in an annual health survey of South Australian residents. The survey used trained interviewers for previously piloted, face-to-face questions. The survey was of 8800 households in late 2001 and 2002, standardized for age and gender; 6052 completed the survey. This population-based method for the evaluation of PCS has previously been described. Results: Thirty eight percent (2321) indicated that someone close to them had died of a terminal illness in the preceding 5 years; 74% had cancer. Overall, 45% (1050) reported use of PCS. Twenty-seven percent (633) of respondents provided some level of care for the deceased person and 10% (232) provided day-to-day hands-on care. When the deceased individual accessed PCS, respondents were more likely to be able to move on with their life (92% vs. 89%, p=0.008). The benefit of PCS was more significant for caregivers (86% vs. 78%, p=0.03) than non-caregivers (96% vs. 93%, p=0.06). This influence of PCS is predominantly in the first two years, such that at 6 months 81% of caregivers with PCS had been able to move on while 63% without PCS had moved on; the lines intersected at 2 years at 90% (p=0.03). Conclusions: Access to palliative care services benefits bereaved loved ones by helping them move on with their lives; caregivers derive the greatest benefit. These represent some of the first robust population-based data on the durable impact of PCS.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Abstract presentation from the 2004 ASCO Annual Meeting