Caregiver Distress: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient Care.

Abstract

Background: Advanced cancer severely impacts the lives of patients as well as their caregivers and loved ones. The burden of the caregiver role often results in significant distress, especially near the end of life. Identifying ways to support patients and caregivers is an important focus of palliative care.

Objectives: To report two cases depicting the negative impact of caregiver distress on patient care and end-of-life decision-making, requiring the collaboration of an interdisciplinary team. The cases outline interdisciplinary approaches to patient and caregiver support during this transition.

Conclusions: Medical facilities providing cancer care should have structures and processes capable of assessing and managing caregiver distress. Interdisciplinary teams are needed to identify a process of supporting caregivers to minimize negative impacts of emotional dysregulation on patients, their caregivers, and staff.