Caregiver-Reported Roles in Treatment Decision Making in Advanced Cancer and Associated Caregiving Burden and Psychological Distress: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Objective

To longitudinally examine caregiver-reported treatment decision-making roles and to investigate the associations of these roles with caregiver burden, caregiving esteem, caregiver anxiety, and depression.

Methods

281 caregivers of patients with stage IV solid cancers were recruited from outpatient clinics in Singapore. Caregivers were eligible if they were aged ≥21 y, primary informal caregiver, and involved in treatment decision making. We used 3 y of longitudinal data. The decision-making roles were grouped into 4 categories: no family involvement, patient/physician-led, joint, and family-led/alone decision making. Mixed-effects linear regressions were used to assess associations between decision-making roles and caregiver outcomes.

Results

On average, 72% of caregivers reported family involvement in decision making. Compared with baseline, a higher proportion of caregivers at the 36-mo follow-up reported no family involvement (from 23% to 34%, P = 0.05) and patient/physician-led decision making (from 22% to 34%, P = 0.02), while a lower proportion reported family-led/alone (from 19% to 7%, P = 0.01) decision making. Compared with family-led/alone decision making, caregivers reporting no family involvement reported lower impact on finances (−0.15 [−0.28, −0.01], P = 0.03) while caregivers who reported patient/physician-led decision making reported lower impact on schedule and health (−0.12 [−0.20, −0.03], P = 0.01), and finances (−0.15 [−0.28, −0.03], P = 0.02), and lower anxiety (−0.69 [−1.17, −0.22], P < 0.01), and depressive symptoms (−0.69 [−1.12, −0.26], P < 0.01). Caregivers who reported joint decision making reported higher caregiving esteem (0.07 [0.01, 0.14], P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Higher family involvement in decision making was associated with higher caregiver burden and psychological distress. Help should be given so that family caregivers can support patient decision-making in a meaningful way.

Highlights

• Compared with baseline, a lower proportion of caregivers at the 36-mo follow-up reported family-led or family-alone decision making, and a higher proportion of caregivers reported patient-led or physician-led decision making.

• Higher levels of family involvement in decision making were associated with burdens on caregivers’ daily life, health, and finances and increased caregiver anxiety and depression.

• Support must be given so that family members can contribute to making medical decisions in a rewarding manner.