Chambers,S.K.
Girgis,A.
Occhipinti,S.
Hutchison,S.
Turner,J.
McDowell,M.E.
Mihalopoulos,C.
Carter,R.
Dunn,J.C.

Purpose/Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of two low-intensity approaches for distressed patients with cancer and caregivers who had called cancer helplines seeking support. Baseline distress was hypothesized as a moderator of intervention effect. Design: Randomized trial. Setting: Community-based cancer helplines in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Sample: 354 patients with cancer and 336 caregivers. Methods: Participants were randomized to either a single session of nurse-led self-management intervention or a five-session psychologist cognitive behavioral intervention delivered by telephone. Assessments were undertaken at baseline (preintervention) and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Main Research Variables: Psychological and cancer- specific distress and post-traumatic growth. Findings: No significant moderation by baseline cancer- specific distress was noted. For low-education patients, only the psychologist intervention was associated with a significant drop in distress. For all other participants, distress decreased over time in both arms with small to large effect sizes (Cohen’s ds = 0.05–0.82). Post-traumatic growth increased over time for all participants (Cohen’s ds = 0.6–0.64). Conclusions: Many distressed patients with cancer and their caregivers may benefit significantly from a single ses- sion of a nurse psychoeducation intervention that can be delivered remotely by telephone and supported by self- management materials. Research is needed to develop an algorithm that moves beyond the use of distress as the only indicator for referral to specialist psychological services. Sur- vivors and caregivers with low education and low literacy may require more in-depth and targeted support. Implications for Nursing: Brief nurse psychoeducation and stress management for cancer survivors and caregivers should be considered as part of a tiered approach to psychosocial care.

Chambers, S. K., Girgis, A., Occhipinti, S., Hutchison, S., Turner, J., McDowell, M., Mihalopoulos, C., Carter, R., & Dunn, J. C. (2014). A randomized trial comparing two low-intensity psychological interventions for distressed patients with cancer and their caregivers. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41, E256-E266. doi:10.1188/14.ONF.E256-E266

Publication year	2014
Document type:	Article
Publication status:	Published
External URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.E256-E266 View
Categories:	EducationHealthBusiness
Keywords:	cancercaregiverslow intensitynursing practicepsychological intervention