A Comparative study of the quality of life among terminally-ill cancer patients under the care of family members versus hired caregivers / Rainier A. Agustines, Andrei Paolo S. Angbue-Te, Maria Victoria Bolanos, Maria Glaiza Dapal, Eleanor DG Dela Pena, Karen S. De Leon, Henry H. Ho, Joseph Carlo G. Kiat, Karizza Joie B. Lacambra, Jonathan Lopez, Medel DG Minoza, Carlota V. Mueca, Marwa D. Mundoc, Christine Joy C. Nilo, Francis Ramos, Ebby Eunika S. Rebugio, Edmeralda L. Ruiz, Ruthsel B. Secreto, Robert Wayne C. Tambal, Voltaire V. Vinco and Lady Diana G. Yao.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate whether a difference exist between the quality of life among terminally ill cancer patients who are attended either by a family member or a trained caregiver. The tool used for the assessment of the quality of life is the SF36 questionnaire, which contains views health in various aspects. There are 36 questions to be answered by the patient. Each of the questions is categorized into different scales. Scales 1 to scale 5 reflects the physical health, scale 4 to scale & reflects the mental health and scale 4 and 5deals with both mental and physical health. This information will evaluate the difference in condition of the terminally ill cancer patients in various aspects of physical functioning (scale 1), role-physical (scale 2), bodily pain (scale 3), general health (scale 4), vitality (scale 5), social functioning (scale 6), role emotional (scale 7) and mental health (scale 8) between a relative and a trained caregiver. Fourty subjects will be utilized in this study. Twenty patients are under family caregiver and the remaining twenty from trained caregiver. Selection of the respondents will be accomplished through coordination with various hospitals within Metro Manila, nongovernmental organization (Pal-Care), FEU-NRMF OPD and Radiation Oncology Department informed consent will be obtained, prior to first administration, from both the patient and the family. Information gathered will be assessed as to difference existing between the data obtained from those patients attended by a family member and data from those patients attended by a trained caregiver. Data will be presented by tabular presentation of the relative distribution of different scales of physical health, mental health, general health and vitality followed by a histogram presentation of the comparison of different scales between patients under the care of relative caregiver versus trained caregiver. No other statistical analysis was done. Based on the results, patients under the care of family members have better physical functions like being able to perform vigorous and moderate activities, can lift and carry grocery bags, climb several flights. Also, they have a better physical role functions such as being more accomplished, less cut down time for work but the kind of task is limited. These patients in general have better health and more energy as well. Furthermore they also have better social life, felt more peaceful and calm. In contrast there are some undesirable results under the care of family members, namely they need assistance for self care, get easily tired, felt sad and blue as compared to patients under trained caregivers. On the other hand patients under the care of trained care givers had the advantage of being able to care for themselves, felt as healthy as others and that they feel that will get better. However, these group of patients have more limited physical activities with increased cut down time and less accomplishment. They also felt severe bodily pain and some interference in work more than patients under care of family members. In addition to these, they are more likely to be sick and with poor social and mental function.

Thesis - Department of Community & Family Medicine