Information needs and the related variables of Japanese family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients

The present study examined the information needs of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients. Data were obtained by a structured interview from 66 Japanese caregivers of cancer patients institutionalized in a palliative care unit. Needs for disease-related information (the disease, treatment and prognosis) and care-related information (the care for the patient and family members) were investigated, and demographic and situational characteristics related to individual information needs were assessed. More than 60% of family caregivers wanted disease-related information, and approximately half of these wanted patient and family care-related information. These information needs had significant correlations with the family caregiver's age and with such patient-dependent situational variables as time since diagnosis, care site before enrolling in a palliative care unit, and presence or absence of other family caregivers. The results may help health care professionals to better inform terminally ill cancer patients and their family caregivers.