Open AccessUnderstanding of Health-related Decision-making Terminology Among Cancer Caregivers
Author(s) -
Karen Moss,
Sara L. Douglas,
Amy R. Lipson,
Eric Blackstone,
Dionne Williams,
Siobhan Aaron,
Celia E. Wills
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
western journal of nursing research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.552
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1552-8456
pISSN - 0193-9459
DOI - 10.1177/0193945920965238
Subject(s) - terminology , meaning (existential) , psychological intervention , family caregivers , psychology , qualitative research , quality of life (healthcare) , nursing interventions classification , distress , nursing , health care , medicine , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , sociology , social science , philosophy , linguistics , economics , economic growth
Research on understanding health-related decision-making terminology among family caregivers of adults living with advanced cancer is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine interpretations of the meaning of health-related decision-making terminology such as quality-of-life and end-of-life among caregivers of adults living with advanced cancer as a basis for improved understanding of caregiver decision support needs. Interviews were conducted with a purposive sub-sample of 10 caregivers of adults diagnosed with advanced cancer who completed a longitudinal, descriptive study (NRO14856) of factors influencing cancer care decisions. Audio transcripts were analyzed using qualitative descriptive methods. Caregivers described interpretations of the meaning and process of decision-making and decision-related distress. Caregivers were uncertain about the meaning of end-of-life-related terminology, and a placed high value on quality-of-life and faith/spirituality in the decision-making process. Improvements in information and decision support interventions are needed to better support caregivers and subsequently patients towards informed cancer care decisions.