Abstract 380P
Background
The current study examines psychological health of informal caregivers and estimate the time costs association with informal caregiving for cancer survivors.
Methods
We intend to select a sample of 350 patients, which represents approximately 18 percent of the overall gastro-intestinal cancer patient of Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), India’s one of the largest cancer hospitals in Mumbai. However, among them we select 200 patients and we collect the data three point of times. This study got Ethical clearance from Tata Memorial Hospital and International Institute for Population Sciences. We used The Zarit Burden questionnaire, Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire, Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) for accessing the burden, anxiety, and depression of caregiver. The median wage rate was used to value caregiver time, and other methods to value time were evaluated with sensitivity analyses.
Results
The data underscores the burden experienced by caregivers, who often grapple with emotional and financial distress. Notably, 37% of caregivers report greater financial distress than emotional strain, emphasizing the dire need for support in both domains. Caregiver characteristics, such as marital status, education, and family type, significantly influence the burden experienced. In addition, the patient's employment status and treatment facility type also play pivotal roles in caregiver dynamics. Spouses constituted the highest percentage of caregiving, accounting for 64% of caregivers, followed by sons and daughters at 15%.
Conclusions
The prevalence of depression and anxiety among caregivers highlights the urgency of providing accessible support services. Moreover, the economic implications of caregiving emphasize the need for comprehensive assistance programs. Addressing these challenges is vital to ensure the well-being of both caregivers and patients in the cancer care journey.
Legal entity responsible for the study
Mohit Kumar Pandey.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.