Study Aims
Our ongoing patient intervention trial, Nursing's Impact on Quality of Life Outcomes in Ovarian Cancer (NINR, R01, 2003-2006), is designed to test the effects of a standardized intervention protocol (SNIP) provided by advanced practice nurses on the quality of life of patients newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The purpose of the current study is to expand this patient intervention trial by adding caregiver outcomes with a subsample of minority caregivers. The aim of this expansion is to test the effects of SNIP on minority caregivers' physical and mental health and ability to perform responsibilities at 1, 3, and 6 months after patient discharge following hospitalization, as compared with caregivers randomized to the usual care attention control group.
Methods
In this single-blind, randomized clinical trial, minority family caregivers of women who are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer and participating in the parent study will be recruited at Yale-New Haven Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital. Inclusion criteria for minority family caregivers include: 1) relative by marriage, or friend of the patient who is participating in the parent study; 2) person assisting the patient with self-management during the time period of the study; 3) lives in the same household as the patient during the time period of the study; 4) age of 21 years or older; and 5) lives in Connecticut. Minority patients' names will be identified by the nurse manager on the gynecology surgical unit at both hospitals. Twenty minority family caregivers of 20 minority women with ovarian cancer will be recruited to participate in the proposed study.
Status
The award letter for this pilot was received on February 9, 2005. The research site was expanded to include Bridgeport Hospital. Human Subjects' application has been submitted and approved. The project coordinator has been hired. We have recruited two subjects from Bridgeport. Baseline data have been collected.
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Investigators
Ruth McCorlke
Beatrice Adderley-Kelly
Lolita Chappel-Aiken
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