• Joan M Griffin, Jay N Mandrekar, Catherine E Vanderboom, William S Harmsen, Brystana G Kaufman, Ellen M Wild, Ann Marie Dose, Cory J Ingram, Erin E Taylor, Carole J Stiles, Allison M Gustavson, and Diane E Holland.
• Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery Research (J.M.G., C.E.V., A.M.D., D.E.H.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Division of Health Care Delivery Research (J.M.G.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address: Griffin.joan@mayo.edu.
• J Pain Symptom Manage. 2024 Aug 5.

ContextPatients receiving inpatient palliative care often face physical and psychological uncertainties during transitions out of the hospital. Family caregivers often take on responsibilities to ensure patient safety, quality of care, and extend palliative care principles, but often without support or training, potentially compromising their health and well-being.ObjectivesThis study tested an eight-week intervention using video visits between palliative care nurse interventionists and caregivers to assess changes in caregiver outcomes and patient quality of life.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial, conducted from 2018 to 2022, enrolled adult caregivers in rural or medically underserved areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Eligible caregivers included those caring for patients who received inpatient palliative care and transitioned out of the hospital. The intervention group received teaching, guidance, and counseling from a palliative care nurse before and for eight weeks after hospital discharge. The control group received monthly phone calls but no intervention. Caregiver outcomes included changes in depression, burden, and quality of life, and patient quality of life, as reported by the caregiver.ResultsOf those consented, 183 completed the intervention, and 184 completed the control arm; 158 participants had complete baseline and eight-week data. In unadjusted analyses, the intervention group and their care recipients showed statistically significant improvements in quality of life compared to the control group. Improvements persisted in adjusted analyses, and depression significantly improved. No differences in caregiver burden were observed.ConclusionAddressing rural caregivers' needs during transitions in care can enhance caregiver outcomes and improve patient quality of life.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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