Background: Family caregivers are of great importance to patients undergoing treatment for cancer, but at the same time, caregivers themselves are in great risk of distress and high symptom burden which affects their quality of life and ability to support the patients. Within hematology the context of treatment from hospital to home has changed in the past years placing more responsibilities on caregivers. Finding new ways to support caregivers within the health care context is important. Psychosocial interventions can enhance emotional well-being, and peer to peer support model has been found to be effective for patients coping with cancer. There is a lack of knowledge and evidence of the feasibility and effects of a peer-to-peer support in caregivers within hematology. Aims: The study aim to examine the feasibility and safety of Family Caregiver Ambassador Support in caregivers of newly diagnosed patients with hematological disease, and to examine if it has an effects on symptoms and psychological wellbeing in both family caregivers and ambassadors. It is hypothesized that the family caregiver peer to peer support model will reduce symptoms of burden, reduce concerns and improve emotional and social well-being in family caregivers. Design and methods: The study is a one arm feasibility intervention trial with family caregivers (n=30) and family caregiver ambassadors (N=20). Family Caregivers will be recruited at the Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet. Family Caregivers will be partnered with a family caregiver ambassador. The intervention will be carried out in a 12-week period and consist of telephone and/or e-mail contact and face to face meetings with one follow-up at three months. Both caregiver and ambassador data will be collected at baseline, post intervention and follow-up 3 months. Implication: The study has the potential to be a new model of care incorporated in the clinical setting to strengthen the support system for caregivers and may likely be tailored to other cancer groups and caregivers.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Recruitment rate
Timeframe: Up to 2 years
Adherence to intervention
Timeframe: up to 24 weeks
Emotional reactions (quality of contacts)
Timeframe: up to 24 weeks
Emotional reactions (numbers of contacts)
Timeframe: up to 24 weeks