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Guideline 6: Supporting carers' emotional & informational needs

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Specific strategies

Attempt to meet the informational needs of family carers, including referring family carers to relevant support services where required

  • Attempt to meet the family carers’ information needs while remaining aware of patient confidentiality. Only answer sensitive questions (e.g. prognosis) after getting the patient's permission.19
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“[Patient], your [family member] has just asked a question about your prognosis. Is this something you want me to talk about today?”

  • Refer the carer to a health professional who can provide the required information/training. 19
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“[Family carer] you mentioned that you are having trouble with providing some of [patient’s] home care. If it’s ok, I will get our occupational therapist to meet with you to discuss some strategies for helping [patient] at home”. 

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Click + for strategies to meet family carers’ informational and emotional needs outside the consultation

Provide contact details: Giving family members a phone number or email address that they can contact you on, can provide them with reassurance. Providing family with this option is at your discretion, but it may prove to be efficient and reduce time spent in consultations and meetings addressing family concerns.

Introduce them to other team members: You may like to introduce patients and family carers to other members of the multidisciplinary team who can better answer certain questions.

Advocate for support: Family carers may also find the cancer council telephone support helpline to be a helpful service for support and information.

OVERALL COMPLETION

Guideline 6

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