Oncology nursing forum
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Oncology nursing forum · Nov 1991
Pain as a metaphor for illness. Part II: Family caregivers' management of pain.
Changes in the healthcare system have made the patient's home the primary site of cancer care. Family members, already burdened with the psychological impact of having a loved one with cancer, take on caregiving roles to meet the multiple and complex needs of the patient. Part I of this two-part article focused on family caregivers' descriptions of the patients' pain and the impact of this pain on caregivers. ⋯ Caregiver perceptions of what doctors or nurses could do better included themes of being there, explain, be honest/listen, addiction concern, and giving medication. Caregiver questions included areas of future, understanding why, death, concern about medications, and fear about what to do at home. The study results offer important suggestions for oncology nurses in supporting family caregivers in the management of the patient in pain.