Information and psychosocial needs of families of patients with cancer in critical care units
Intended for healthcare professionals
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Information and psychosocial needs of families of patients with cancer in critical care units

Geraldine O’Gara Nurse researcher, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London
Natalie Pattison Senior clinical nursing research fellow, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London

Geraldine O’Gara and Natalie Pattison explore the challenges that clinical staff face in establishing and addressing these requirements

A cancer diagnosis and treatment trajectory can have a significant effect not only on the patient but also on his or her family. Similarly, an admission to critical care can affect family members. Increasing numbers of cancer patients require an admission to critical care at some point during their treatment pathway. Families may suffer the dual effect of loved ones undergoing cancer treatment alongside an expected or unexpected admission to critical care, resulting in physical and psychosocial issues such as fatigue, anxiety, depression and financial burden.

This article examines the needs of this complex family group, focusing on the difficulties of establishing such needs. Challenges for clinical staff in providing adequate support to these families are highlighted.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 14, 6, 26-30. doi: 10.7748/cnp.14.6.26.e1226

Correspondence

Geraldine.O’Gara@rmh.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double-blind review and has been checked using antiplagiarism software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 21 May 2015

Accepted: 16 June 2015

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