As a health studies undergraduate student planning a career in nursing, I was very interested to read the recent article "Predictors of Change in Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Patients Near the End of Life With Advanced Cancer."1 I was glad to see that the researchers were able to demonstrate how important it is for caregivers to have a social support system, as well as access to spiritual care.
While studying palliative and end-of-life care, I have read several other research articles examining quality of life for cancer caregivers. A 2009 study by Tang2 concluded that spirituality was a predicting factor for high quality of life among hospice family caregivers. In addition, Kim et al3 found in 2007 that cancer caregivers, especially adult daughters, tended to view themselves as helpless and stressed by the caregiving experience. I agree with these authors' conclusion that caregivers would benefit from "programs designed to assist them in viewing their involvement in care as meaningful and as a personal growth experience."3 These authors also state that such programs would help caregivers handle their multiple roles as caregivers, parents, spouses, and professionals and allow them to experience less stress.
The work of Leow et al1 as published in your September-October 2014 issue supports both of these earlier studies, and it places even greater emphasis on spiritual care, including "open discussions and sharing on spirituality and religion." I grew up in the African country of Liberia, where spirituality and religion were often just as important as medical care in treating terminal illnesses. I feel that the ideas supported by this study, which was conducted in Singapore, would translate well to any nation in the world. Caregivers for the terminally ill in all cultures would benefit greatly from more support, both socially and spiritually. I hope to pursue this aspect of care as I progress in my nursing career.
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Blayson Kabia, BS
Utica College Department of Health Studies
New York
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