Caregiver Satisfaction During the Transition From Inpatient Cancer Care to Home-Based End-of-Life Care
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: People with advanced cancer often cite home as their preferred place of death, yet a preponderance of deaths occurs in hospitals. Hospice care improves outcomes at end of life (EOL). Hospital-to-home transitional care is a critical area of care delivery, but the caregiver’s experience during this transition is a gap in the literature. Objective: This mixed-methods study explored informal caregiver perceptions of the transition from inpatient cancer care to home-based EOL care. Methods: A cross-sectional survey measured caregiver satisfaction with advanced cancer and palliative care. A qualitative content analysis of additional free-text comments from respondents was also conducted. Results: A total of 53 (27%) of caregivers completed the survey. Responses were positive overall, with higher satisfaction noted for Hispanic/Latino caregivers (P = .033) and caregivers with greater self-reported support at home (P = .006), and trending toward higher satisfaction for caregivers aged 65 years and older (P = .075). Qualitative findings indicate effective communication and care coordination are critical components of positive experiences. Conclusions: Results suggest that early identification and support for caregivers with lower self-reported outside support at EOL may increase satisfaction. Implications for Practice: Previous work demonstrated a gap in the understanding of caregiver experience in the transition from hospital-based to home hospice care. Assessment of outside caregiver support should be performed before discharge. What Is Foundational: As institutions consider satisfaction of care as an important metric of quality, caregivers need to be included, particularly within transitions of care. Clear communication between the medical team and the primary caregiver is an essential component of care.
Source: Cancer Care Research Online
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4407957967