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Research

Archetypal trajectories of social, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing and distress in family care givers of patients with lung cancer: secondary analysis of serial qualitative interviews

BMJ 2010; 340 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c2581 (Published 10 June 2010) Cite this as: BMJ 2010;340:c2581

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Reassessment of carers' needs at significant points of the patient's journey

Scott Murray's interesting results underline the importance of paying
appropriate attention to the psychosocial-spiritual needs of the patient's
family care givers. His paper highlights the relevance of re-assessment at
key moments in the patient's journey and, in particular, the moment when
the patient returns home. Fig 2 indicates an increase in psychological and
spiritual distress at this point which primary care and home care teams
need to anticipate and address as necessary. The need for frequent re-
assessment of non-physical needs is not new (NICE 2004) but the reminder
to be proactive in offering support to family carers at critical points is
important.

NICE (2004) Improving Supportive and Palliative Care for Adults with
Cancer.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

14 June 2010
Peter W Speck
Hon Senior Lecturer (Palliative Care)
Kings College London SE5 9PJ
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