P1-16

Respite as Complementary and Supportive Care for adult cancer patients, their caregivers and their families.

Marcella Schankweiler, Patricia Gambino
University of Pennsylvania, United States

PURPOSE

When a young adult (ages 24 to 50) is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family unit is traumatized by the diagnosis. The psycholgical, emotional, economic and spiritual traumas become forefront in everyday living and often, the family unit is unable to cope with the potential of a devastating outcome. During the patient's treatment, the use of auxiliary respite becomes helpful in addressing these traumas by providing a safe haven for honest and open dialogue about coping with today and preparing for an uncertain future. The impact of respite will be presented using qualitative and quantitative outcome measures provided by the patient, the caregiver, children (when applicable) and by the treating clinician best suited to ascertain the patient/family's mental outlook after participation in the respite travel excursion provided by Crossing the Finish Line.

METHODS

Using a multidisciplinary approach as outlined by a CFL program committee comprised of oncologists, oncology nurses, social workers and patient coordinators, qualitative and quantitative measurements are gathered both pre and post respite that gauge the patient/caregivers/children ability to cope with cancer. Further, the treating clinician is also asked to observe and access as an independent source said parties' ability to cope with the cancer diagnosis. Each patient and family is subject to a seven day respite travel excursion to a mutually selected destination suitable for family travel and congruent with the family's psychosocial needs at the time. Outcomes measures, both qualitative and quantitative, are obtained pre and post respite and then used to gauge the effectiveness of the respite on all involved family members.

RESULTS

Since the inception of Crossing the Finish Line collecting qualitative and quantitative measurements, significant improvement is noted in families that are nominated by healthcare professionals (a member of the patient's oncology team) to participate in the respite travel excursion program. Further, 100% of all nominating professionals also report improvement in patient, caregiver and when applicable, childrens' coping with cancer post respite.

CONCLUSIONS

The need for respite is critical as complementary support in one's treatment of cancer in the adult population segment with young families. Care-free, cost-free organized respite is a critical factor in helping to improve one's overall coping with a cancer diagnosis and improves the families' psychosocial health.

Research Implications

Best practices from this program can assist in both short term and long term psychosocial health of patients, their caregivers and their families so to optimize a family's coping and healing related to a cancer diagnosis.

Clinical Implications

Best practices from this program will enable the integration of respite within the overall treatment of cancer in adults, ages 24 to 50, their caregivers and their children.

Funding

None