2694 - Beyond Patient Outcomes: Radiation Oncology (RO) and Public Health Researcher (PHR) Collaboration Assessing Caregiver Quality of Life (QOL) during Long Course Radiotherapy

Purpose/Objective(s): Long course radiotherapy (=5 weeks) in outpatient requires a signi?cant amount of time and effort from caregivers (CG) of cancer patients. We performed this pilot study in low-mid income (LMIC) setting in collaboration with a public health researcher (PHR). We aimed to analyse CG reported QOL among head-neck, brain, pelvic cancer patients receiving long course radiotherapy (RT). CG reported QOL included physical, emotional, social, and financial burden during and after RT.

Materials/Methods:

This pilot study was conducted over 6 months and included consecutive 60 CG. This was approved by the local Institutional Review Board (IRB). Consecutive patients of head-neck, brain and pelvic cancers undergoing long course RT were selected and CG accompanying them were given a QOL questionnaire. Response was documented, assessing physical, emotional, social, and financial aspects by Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer scale (CQOLC) and The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey. The timeline at which response was documented was at baseline, mid treatment, end of RT and at 3, 6-months post RT. CQOLC analysed 35 questions and MOS 19 questions both with 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate a favourable outcome. Descriptive statistics, paired t test between time points were utilised using SPSS version 22.0.

Results: 35 (58.3%) CG completed all the questions and 55 (91.6%) till 1^st follow up. Mean scores in the 4 major impacts viz. physical, emotional, social, and financial decreased over the time in our study. As per CQOLC CG had moderate impact on daily routine (physical) and financial burden and mild change in social support. MOS suggested 75% CG seek support from their partners. The major change was emotional in 90% CG. Many domains were unanswered by CG suggesting further support in treatment phase. The change in daily routine (physical), change in social priorities (social), nervousness and mental strain (emotional) and concerns about finances (financial) were the key highlights from this pilot study. Young age, low income, no family support, and female CG had worsened QOL. 3% mentioned staying motivated and meditation for de-stress and 5.4% documented diverse mechanisms managing all domains. The CG had significant change in 3 subdomain scales viz. finances, mental strain, job management between baseline and RT completion.

Conclusion:

This pilot study identified urgent need for physical and emotional wellbeing programmes for CG and strategies for social and financial support. Community involvement and volunteer support should be analysed in future large-scale studies. Future collaborative work with PHR and LMIC specific questionnaires for CG would eliminate non-compliance and underreporting.