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Who cares for the caregiver? How are the needs of caregivers of primary malignant brain tumour patients met through structured neuro-oncology programs in Canadian Centres?

This qualitative multi case research asks how the needs of caregivers of primary malignant brain tumour (PMBT) patients are met through structured neuro-oncology programs in Canadian centres. Utilizing telephone interviews with eleven social workers and one psychologist the study analyses their perspectives on the scope and nature of services to brain tumour patients and their caregivers. PMBT is a rare and palliative disease often with neurocognitive and neurobehavioral effects posing special challenges for caregivers. Health care system reliance on family caregivers has resulted in significant implications for their emotional and physical risk. Findings show exclusive patient focused health care in ambulatory programs with fragmented care resulting in marginalization and invisibility of caregivers. This approach is inconsistent with current literature promoting collaborative family centered care, recommended for continuity of care throughout the illness trajectory. Recommendations focus on systemic caregiver service improvements.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:MWU.1993/4983
Date23 November 2011
CreatorsReuter, Orit
ContributorsFerguson, Evelyn (Social Work), Heinonen, Tuula (Social Work) Katz, Anne (Nursing)
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
Detected LanguageEnglish

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