Abstract 12
Title: Living with Hope: Developing a Psychosocial Supportive Program for Rural Older Women Caregivers of Spouses with Advanced Cancer
Researcher(s): Duggleby, W. (PI) (University of Saskatchewan), Williams, A. (McMaster University) (Co-PI), Popkin, D (CI) (Saskatchewan Cancer Agency), Thomas-MacLean, R. (CI) (University of Saskatchewan), Hampton, M. (CI) (University of Regina), Holtslander, L (CI) (University of Saskatchewan), Wilson, D (CI) (University of Alberta) and Cooper, D (CI) (Regina/Qu’Appelle Health Region)
Purpose: The overall purpose of this time series mixed method study is the further development and testing of the Living with Hope Program (LWHP) by:
a) Determining the mechanisms of the LWHP by testing the LWHP conceptual model in which self-efficacy, loss and grief are hypothesized intervening variables for changes in hope, and subsequently quality of life among older rural women caring for spouses with advanced cancer. In the LWHP model we hypothesize that administration of the LWHP will improve self-efficacy and decrease feelings of loss and grief. This will lead to a positive influence on the proximal outcome of hope and the distal outcome of quality of life.
b) Exploring the longitudinal effects of the LWHP on hope, quality of life and health services utilization among older rural women caring for spouses with advanced cancer. We want to determine if the LWHP has benefits beyond what was found in the pilot. The team will compare baseline scores of hope and quality of life to scores after the LWHP over time and health services utilization (one year prospective number of physician visits and prescriptions compared to the year before the LWHP). This study is unique, as it will follow caregivers over a one-year period. As approximately 50% of these caregivers will become bereaved one month after study enrolment; rather than dropping these caregivers from the study, the team felt that retaining these subjects would add to the understanding of hope, quality of life and health care utilization among caregivers by continuing to follow them through bereavement. Thus, patterns of hope, quality of life and health care services utilization will be delineated over time for active and bereaved caregivers.
Procedures: Using a time-series embedded mixed method design, baseline measures will be collected from 200 rural women (60 years of age and older) caring for a spouse who has advanced cancer. All subjects will receive the LWHP. Then subjects will be post tested on the variables at 1 and 2 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months. Journals entries will be copied and transcribed. Using Health Services Personnel Health numbers, subject’s health services utilization data (physician’s visits and number of prescriptions) will be collected one year prior to the LWHP and one year post LWHP using administrative data from Saskatchewan Health.
The data collection for this 3 years study has just begun.
Acknowledgements: This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Standard Operating Grant.
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