TY - JOUR

T1 - Health practices in Europe towards families of older patients with cancer

T2 - a scoping review

AU - Konradsen, Hanne

AU - Brødsgaard, Anne

AU - Østergaard, Birte

AU - Svavarsdóttir, Erla

AU - Dieperink, Karin B.

AU - Imhof, Lorenz

AU - Luttik, Marie Louise

AU - Mahrer-Imhof, Romy

AU - García-Vivar, Cristina

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Introduction: In Europe, cancer is one of the predominant causes of mortality and morbidity among older people aged over 65. A diagnosis of cancer can imply a negative impact on the quality of life of the older patients and their families. Despite research examining the impact of cancer on the family, it is unclear what kind of information is available about the types of clinical practice towards older patients with cancer and their families. The aim is to determine the extent, range and variety of research in Europe describing health practices towards families of older patients with cancer and to identify any existing gaps in knowledge. Methods: Scoping review. Results: A total of 12 articles were included, showing that family interventions are generally based on end-of-life care. Most studies used a qualitative approach and involved different types of family member as participants. Most studies were conducted in the UK. Conclusions: Review findings revealed limited knowledge about health practices in Europe towards families with an older patient with cancer. This review indicates a need to increase family-focused research that examines health practices that meet the needs of families of older patients with cancer. Seeing cancer as a chronic disease, there is an urgent need for the implementation of family-focused interventions.

AB - Introduction: In Europe, cancer is one of the predominant causes of mortality and morbidity among older people aged over 65. A diagnosis of cancer can imply a negative impact on the quality of life of the older patients and their families. Despite research examining the impact of cancer on the family, it is unclear what kind of information is available about the types of clinical practice towards older patients with cancer and their families. The aim is to determine the extent, range and variety of research in Europe describing health practices towards families of older patients with cancer and to identify any existing gaps in knowledge. Methods: Scoping review. Results: A total of 12 articles were included, showing that family interventions are generally based on end-of-life care. Most studies used a qualitative approach and involved different types of family member as participants. Most studies were conducted in the UK. Conclusions: Review findings revealed limited knowledge about health practices in Europe towards families with an older patient with cancer. This review indicates a need to increase family-focused research that examines health practices that meet the needs of families of older patients with cancer. Seeing cancer as a chronic disease, there is an urgent need for the implementation of family-focused interventions.

KW - ageing

KW - cancer

KW - Europe

KW - professional practices

KW - review

U2 - 10.1111/scs.12855

DO - 10.1111/scs.12855

M3 - Review

C2 - 32291782

AN - SCOPUS:85083398724

VL - 35

SP - 375

EP - 389

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences

SN - 0283-9318

IS - 2

ER -