The 90-minute group: Developing a short-term intervention for informal carers of patients with advanced cancer

Caring for someone with an advanced illness has been shown to be stressful. There are few interventions aimed at supporting informal carers. To develop a group intervention that responds to carers’ needs for information and support and to describe its initial activity and response. The group runs from two palliative care services in North and South London. Ten to twelve carers are invited to attend the group that runs over 6 weeks, for 90 min a week. Facilitated by social workers, the content of the sessions is multi-professional. It is based on a literature review of carers’ needs, qualitative interviews with current and recently bereaved carers, and the report of an initial pilot group. We expect this low cost intervention to provide appropriate information and support. The group offers a forum for carers to explore together the practical, physical, psychological, and spiritual impact of caring on daily life. Group members are enabled to develop their practical skills and to exchange effective coping strategies. Twelve carers attended the group, and report high satisfaction with sharing their experiences with other carers. Group members value discussing common issues and concerns, and sharing skills/resource.

Original documentation