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HWDI - Family and Caregiver Needs over the Course of the Cancer Trajectory

By Blair Davies

Patient Commentary on Family and Caregiver Needs over the
Course of the Cancer Trajectory by Barbara A. Given, PhD, RN; Charles W. Given, PhD; and Paula R. Sherwood, PhD, RN, CNRN

Medicine has made huge steps forward in the treatment of cancer, but overall less has been done to address the impact of cancer on the lives of patients, their families and their communities.

Cure has been the focus, studies of what works in cancer patient care and support have been a fraction , of scholarly research.

The article by Given et al presents patient caregivers as people who need to be understood and cared for, but the article fails to address the potential of caregivers as agents of change.

Caregivers can be a key ingredient in helping the patient realize their full potential at a critical time in life. Further, caregivers need to be acknowledged for their contributions to patient well being and the remarkable accomplishment of caregiving itself.

As the brother and son of cancer patients, and my participation in their cancer journeys, I have seen patients take control of the things that they can still manage in their lives. They network, advocate, learn, and collaborate. Most of all, they live every day, prospering for as long as they have. I have also seen what happens when patients are not encouraged and empowered to cherish the days that remain. The results are catastrophic. It has been my observation that this asyncronicity of mind, body and spirit has hastened death and brought little closure for patients’ friends and family.

By introduction, I am an entrepreneur, a father, a husband, a caregiver and an enthusiastic learner about oncology. I also draw on the thoughts and ideas from my family dynamics, with a physician father, a nurse wife who is an organ donation doordinator, and a brother in pharmaceutical marketing and sales.

My dad and brother both died from cancer. My mother has had three bouts with cancer but is a strong and steady force today. Much of my thoughts about cancer journeys stem from these three experiences.

I would like to share three recommendations with oncology medical professionals, in the context of the Given article.

1.      Bring a format to how you deal with the patient and caregiver. The article talks about a variety of viewpoints and refers to other articles that do the same. I am suggesting something you pursue an approach along the lines of Maslow’s hierarchy (see image) which covers the range from nutrition and shelter up to state of mind and beyond.

2.      Now is the time for the patient and the caregivers to be the best they can be. The medical professional can paint the choices on how to deal with this diagnosis and choose to bring mind, body and spirit together.

3.      Encourage the patient and caregivers to network and build links to others facing the same issues. The doctor-patient relationship is linear. It’s only one link. For many of the issues the patient and caregiver face, they need a network of contacts who can share experiences, lessons learned, good books, etc.