
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”
This study looked into the experience of bereaved carers who have had home care services from health care assistants.
Many cancer patients choose to die at home. As the time gets nearer, caring can become more of a strain for the patient’s family and friends.
Health care assistants provide an important part of home care. They give nursing, social and emotional support. They stay with the patient for a number of hours and support the family who are caring for their loved one.
There is little research into
So, it is not clear what works well and what does not work so well.
In this study, researchers talked to
The main aim of this study was to explore the experiences of carers who have lost their loved ones after caring for them at home.
The researchers found that health care assistants see providing emotional support as one of their key roles. And family carers recognised and value this support.
The research took place in 3 different settings
The researchers interviewed 8 health care assistants (HCAs) and 33 family carers from across the 3 settings.
The research team asked the HCAs about
And asked the family carers about
The research team recorded all the interviews.
After listening to the recorded interviews the research team found 3 main themes.
HCA’s showed sensitivity and skill in developing relationships with patients and their carers
The family carers thought the HCAs were friendly, caring and genuine.
Family carers highlighted the difference between their regular HCAs and agency staff. They felt agency HCAs were often not as caring.
HCAs combine professional ability with the personal touch
The time HCAs spend with the family means that they can help with the relationship between the family carers and the patient’s doctors and nurses. The family carers saw this as particularly helpful if the relationship was not an easy one.
HCAs could also spend more time explaining the medical equipment and drugs the patient may need.
The trust built up between the HCAs and family carers meant that the carers could have a break. They were reassured that their loved one was well looked after.
HCAs and family carers work together so the patient is able to die at home
The main aim of both the HCAs and family carers was for the patient to die at home.
The researchers found that the HCAs worked with the families to make sure this happened. For example, carers reported that having the HCA present meant they were more able to cope with their loved one dying. There was someone around who could explain what was happening and provide direct support.
In this study the researchers found that HCAs
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team who did the research. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Dan Munday
Dimbleby Cancer Care
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
University of Sheffield
University of Warwick
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”