TY - JOUR
T1 - Qualitative evaluation of a problem-solving intervention for informal hospice caregivers
AU - Washington, Karla T.
AU - Demiris, George
AU - Parker Oliver, Debra
AU - Wittenberg-Lyles, Elaine
AU - Crumb, Edith
N1 - Funding Information:
This project was funded in part by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Nursing Research [Grant Number R21 NR010744-01] (a Technology Enhanced Nursing Intervention for Hospice Caregivers, Demiris PI).
PY - 2012/12
Y1 - 2012/12
N2 - Background: Informal hospice caregivers may experience compromised well-being as a result of significant stress. Although quite limited, problem-solving interventions with this population have garnered empirical support for improved caregiver well-being. Aim: Researchers sought to answer the following question: which specific intervention processes impacted informal hospice caregivers who participated in a problem-solving intervention? Design: Researchers conducted a thematic analysis of open-ended exit interviews with informal hospice caregivers who had participated in a structured problem-solving intervention. Setting/participants: Participants were friends and family members who provided unpaid care for a home hospice patient receiving services from one of two hospice agencies located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Results: During their participation in the problem-solving intervention, caregivers actively reflected on caregiving, structured problemsolving efforts, partnered with interventionists, resolved problems, and gained confidence and control. Conclusions: The study findings provide much needed depth to the field's understanding of problem-solving interventions for informal hospice caregivers and can be used to enhance existing support services.
AB - Background: Informal hospice caregivers may experience compromised well-being as a result of significant stress. Although quite limited, problem-solving interventions with this population have garnered empirical support for improved caregiver well-being. Aim: Researchers sought to answer the following question: which specific intervention processes impacted informal hospice caregivers who participated in a problem-solving intervention? Design: Researchers conducted a thematic analysis of open-ended exit interviews with informal hospice caregivers who had participated in a structured problem-solving intervention. Setting/participants: Participants were friends and family members who provided unpaid care for a home hospice patient receiving services from one of two hospice agencies located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Results: During their participation in the problem-solving intervention, caregivers actively reflected on caregiving, structured problemsolving efforts, partnered with interventionists, resolved problems, and gained confidence and control. Conclusions: The study findings provide much needed depth to the field's understanding of problem-solving interventions for informal hospice caregivers and can be used to enhance existing support services.
KW - caregivers
KW - hospices
KW - intervention studies
KW - problem solving
KW - qualitative research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870436007&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0269216311427191
DO - 10.1177/0269216311427191
M3 - Article
C2 - 22075164
AN - SCOPUS:84870436007
SN - 0269-2163
VL - 26
SP - 1018
EP - 1024
JO - Palliative Medicine
JF - Palliative Medicine
IS - 8
ER -