Abstract
Background
Recent changes in healthcare management generally and in cancer care in particular,
indicate a major shift in the clinical management of cancer from hospitals and healthcare
professionals (HCPs) to patients and families. In light of these changes national
and international policies and reports by the
Department of Health & Children, 2001
,
Department of Health & Children, 2006
and the
World Health Organisation, 2004
have recommended that HCPs support family members (FMs) to care for loved ones. The
purpose of this review therefore was to explore the extent to which FMs’ needs are
realised by HCPs in practice.Objectives
To examine recent research (2000–2010) in relation to; the type of information that
FMs of patients with cancer generally seek, how they seek this information from HCPs,
and, FMs’ experiences of communicating with HCPs in this context.
Methods
A review of the literature was conducted using key databases Medline, Pub med, Psych-Info
and CINAHL.
Results
Thirty four papers were included in the review. Overall the studies demonstrated that
FMs of patients with cancer have similar information needs and demonstrate similar
strategies for seeking information. While many FMs report positive communication experiences
with HCPs and have information needs met, the majority of FMs report negative communication
encounters with HCPs.
Conclusion
HCPs are highly significant in the lives of FMs of patients with cancer. The review
concludes with identifying; FMs most wanted information needs, their struggles with
accessing HCPs and the type of communication encounters FMs most desire to have with
HCPs. Recommendations for education, practice and research are addressed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 22, 2010
Identification
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© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
