https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7076-6501
Key Points
In the ambulatory hematology setting, frequency of patient medical visits is linked to burden and depressive symptoms of family caregivers
Reduction in the number and duration of such visits should be considered in order to decrease caregiver burden and depressive symptoms
Informal caregivers of cancer patients are known to experience extensive burdens, while this issue remains unresolved in the setting of hematological malignancies. Yet, these diseases are characterized by a prolonged course, numerous relapses and implementation of multi-line therapy, administered in outpatient facilities. The current study aimed to assess the factors contributing to burden and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of patients with hematological malignancies, while concentrating on the role of medical visits. The study population comprised patients and their caregivers, recruited at the Rambam Hematology Ambulatory Unit. Participants completed validated questionnaires, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. The cohort (n=185) included 115 patients [average age 62.8+14.5 years; 54 males] and 70 caregivers. Among caregivers, 80% reported high psychological burden and 50% reported significant depressive symptoms. The burden was higher if caregivers were females, and if patients were less educated, less healthy and more depressed. The caregiver burden and depressive symptoms were significantly linked and the medical visit frequency predicted the level of both. The caregiver burden fully mediated the link between the independent variables of self-rated health and medical visits, and the dependent variable of caregiver depressive symptoms. Informal caregivers of ambulatory hemato-oncological patients experience high levels of psychological burden and depressive symptoms. This is partly attributed to the medical visit frequency. Hence, a decrease in the number and length of such visits via the implementation of advanced technology could essentially reduce burden and depressive symptoms of caregivers, without compromising patient outcomes.
