TY - JOUR
T1 - Open communication between caregivers and terminally ill cancer patients
T2 - The role of caregivers' characteristics and situational variables
AU - Bachner, Yaacov G.
AU - Carmel, Sara
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by the Oncology Patient Memorial Fund, The Israeli National Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research, and the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute.
PY - 2009/9/1
Y1 - 2009/9/1
N2 - This study assesses caregivers' perceived level of open communication about illness and death with their terminally ill relatives and examines the contribution of caregivers' characteristics and situational variables to the explanation of open communication. A total of 236 primary caregivers of terminal cancer patients participated in the study. Level of open communication was measured by 6 items clustered into 1 factor. Caregivers' characteristics were composed of demographic variables, personality traits, and negative emotional reactions to caregiving. The situational variables included the duration and intensity of caregiving, and perceived functioning and suffering of the patient. Caregivers experienced substantial difficulties in communicating with patients about illness and death. Level of open communication was explained by caregivers' emotional reactions (emotional exhaustion, depression) and self-efficacy, as well as by the duration of caregiving. Intervention programs for health professionals need to focus on prevention, identification, and treatment of caregivers at risk for negative reactions to caregiving.
AB - This study assesses caregivers' perceived level of open communication about illness and death with their terminally ill relatives and examines the contribution of caregivers' characteristics and situational variables to the explanation of open communication. A total of 236 primary caregivers of terminal cancer patients participated in the study. Level of open communication was measured by 6 items clustered into 1 factor. Caregivers' characteristics were composed of demographic variables, personality traits, and negative emotional reactions to caregiving. The situational variables included the duration and intensity of caregiving, and perceived functioning and suffering of the patient. Caregivers experienced substantial difficulties in communicating with patients about illness and death. Level of open communication was explained by caregivers' emotional reactions (emotional exhaustion, depression) and self-efficacy, as well as by the duration of caregiving. Intervention programs for health professionals need to focus on prevention, identification, and treatment of caregivers at risk for negative reactions to caregiving.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70349606398&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10410230903104913
DO - 10.1080/10410230903104913
M3 - Article
C2 - 19735030
AN - SCOPUS:70349606398
SN - 1041-0236
VL - 24
SP - 524
EP - 531
JO - Health Communication
JF - Health Communication
IS - 6
ER -
