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document
Enhancing the experience of carers in the chemotherapy outpatient setting : an exploratory randomised controlled trial to test impact , acceptability and feasibility of a complex intervention co-designed by carers and staff . PURPOSE Supporting someone through chemotherapy can be emotionally and physically demanding . However , research has yet to establish the type of support carers require or the best way to provide this . This study tested the feasibility and acceptability of a complex intervention for carers that was co-designed by staff and carers of patients starting chemotherapy . METHODS Forty-seven carers were recruited , randomised between the intervention ( n = 24 ) and control ( n = 23 ) groups . A questionnaire was completed pre- and post-intervention measuring knowledge of chemotherapy and its side effects , experience of care , satisfaction with outpatient services , coping and emotional wellbeing . The intervention process was evaluated by carers and healthcare professionals ( HCPs ) in focus groups . RESULTS Recruitment to the study was unproblematic and attrition from it was low , suggesting the intervention and study processes were acceptable to patients and carers . Carers in receipt of the 'Take Care ' intervention reported statistically significantly better understanding of symptoms and side effects and their information needs being more frequently met than carers in the control . Confidence in coping improved between baseline and follow-up for the intervention group and declined for the control although differences were insufficient to achieve statistical significance . There was no significant difference between the two groups ' emotional wellbeing . HCP and carer focus groups confirmed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention . CONCLUSIONS The 'Take Care ' intervention proved acceptable to carers and HCPs and demonstrates considerable promise and utility in practice . Study findings support the conduct of a fully powered RCT to determine the intervention 's effectiveness and cost-effectiveness .
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Intervention_Physical
complex intervention
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Intervention_Physical
chemotherapy
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Intervention_Physical
intervention
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Intervention_Control
control
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Intervention_Educational
questionnaire
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Intervention_Physical
chemotherapy
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Outcome_Mental
chemotherapy
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Outcome_Other
feasibility and acceptability
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Participant_Condition
experience of carers in the chemotherapy outpatient setting :
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Participant_Sample-size
Forty-seven carers were recruited
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Participant_Sample-size
( n = 24 )
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Participant_Sample-size
control ( n = 23 ) groups