Outpatients

Objectives: This study had two purposes: to develop an instrument for assessing family members' caregiving needs before their older relative's knee joint-replacement surgery and to determine instrument psychometrics. Methods: In phase 1 of this validation study, we generated 34 items based on previous interviews with 138 family caregivers of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), an intensive literature review, and the authors' clinical experiences.

Background: There is a paucity of data regarding complications and outcomes of central vascular access devices (CVADs) in pediatric home care patients. Unlike hospital and clinic settings, home care patients commonly receive catheter care and accesses by family caregivers rather than nurses. Design: This 2-year prospective study compared complications and outcomes of 222 CVADs managed by nurses or family caregivers.

Background: Family caregivers (CGs) are critical to the care and recovery of stroke survivors (SSs), particularly in the community. However, little is known about their psychosocial well-being, especially in developing countries. In this study, we assessed CG burden, psychiatric morbidity, quality of life (QoL), and predictors of burden. Materials and Methods: We recruited 150 dyads of CGs/SSs from two outpatient clinics in Nigeria.

Background: Today, most cancer treatment is given in outpatient treatment centers. In this process, family members who are responsible for the primary care of the patient have difficulty coping with the side effects of the disease and the treatment. This can change the reactions of family members to care giving, affecting the physical and psychological health of family members. Aim: This study has been carried to determine the relationship between caregiving burden and quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of outpatients receiving chemotherapy.

Aims and objectives.  To investigate the pressure ulcer prevalence in home nursing patients and to evaluate guideline adherence of measures for the prevention of pressure ulcers and the participation of informal carers in pressure ulcer prevention.

Background.  Since 2002, the Belgian Guideline for the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers was published on the Internet, but no information was available on guideline adherence in home care.

This paper reports upon a Welsh Office funded 'clinical effectiveness' project. The project aimed to produce evidence-based practice guidelines for depot neuroleptic medication. An audit was conducted to establish current practice regarding the provision of illness and treatment specific information to out-patients and their informal carers. Sixty-five patients' case-notes, under the care of a single community mental health team were examined for evidence of the type, nature and frequency of information given to patients receiving typical depot neuroleptic medications.