Nurse-Led Caregiver Support Program in Home Palliative Care

This randomized controlled trial evaluated a nurse-led caregiver support program for family caregivers of patients with cancer receiving home palliative care. A total of 162 caregivers were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group, with 81 caregivers in each group. The intervention included six weeks of structured education, weekly telephone coaching, caregiver guidance materials, and decision support for symptom management and healthcare use. As-needed telephone consultation remained available through week 18. Both groups received routine home care services. The primary outcome was caregiver competency. Secondary outcomes included caregiver burden, self-efficacy, patient palliative care concerns assessed using the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Questionnaire assessments were conducted at baseline, week 6, and week 18.

Recruitment population: Family caregivers were recruited exclusively from the home care unit's cancer patient population. Inclusion Criteria: * Adult family caregivers of patients receiving home palliative care services * Age 18 years or older * Being the primary caregiver responsible for the patient's daily care * Ability to communicate in Turkish * Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Professional or paid caregivers * Caregivers with severe cognitive impairment or severe psychiatric disorders * Inability to participate in follow-up assessments