Introduction
4 out of 12i
LEARNING OUTCOMES: In this section, you will learn about the benefits of family involvement in consultations, as well as the burden that caregiving can have on family members.
Family involvement in cancer care
- Family carers take on many roles: They often accompany patients to consultations, may contribute to treatment decision-making discussions, and many provide home-based medical care.
- Patients prefer family involvement: Most patients prefer family involvement in consultations and medical decisions 7, 8 often reporting that they appreciate the informational, emotional, and practical support of their family members 8.
- Family appreciate being included: When actively involved, family members are more able to obtain information, better understand the treatment decisions, and are able to ask important questions 8.
i
"WHAT'S IN A NAME?" For ease, we will refer to a patient's partner-in-care as a "family member" or "carer" throughout this module. However, there are many other appropriate terms that you can use. Remember to be inclusive in your language and actions, as not all carers are biologically or legally related to the patient. Some are partners, friends, or neighbours.
OVERALL COMPLETION
