NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION ON CAREGIVERS OF CANCER PATIENTS IN PALLIATIVE CARE: INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction: Cancer patients require great care and attention, because usually the disease and the treatments deteriorate their quality of life. In this perspective, palliative care is highlighted as an approach to care for patients and family caregivers. Objective: To identify in the national scientific literature what are the caregivers experiences regarding care for cancer patients in palliative care. Method: Integrative literature review from the leading question < < What was produced in Brazil in relation to caregivers of cancer patients in palliative care? > > The databases consulted were Latin-american and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) and Health Information from the National Library of Medicine (PUBMED). The descriptors in Health sciences (DeCS) used were: palliative care, caregiver and cancer. Results: Thirteen articles were eligible between 2011 and 2018. Regarding the “experiences of cancer patients’ caregivers in palliative care” it was found that the choice to be a caregiver, sometimes, is not voluntary and there isn’t always a satisfaction in caring. In relation to the content “burden of cancer patients’ caregivers in palliative care” it was noted that the routine of the home caregiver is heavy and hard, and often the family member voids himself to care for the patient. The content “validation of instruments to assess the comfort of home caregivers” demonstrated the importance of methodological studies that are dedicated to adapting and validating instruments that assess the situation of caregivers and patients, so that, health interventions are planned and implemented by the professionals. Conclusion: The study made it possible to identify that caregivers experiences and responsibilities generate an overload that impairs self-care and physical and emotional health. For this reason, it is necessary for them to be adequately assisted. It is up to the palliative care team, not only to accompany cancer patients, but also to identify the difficulties and demands of caregivers, providing support and guiding the challenges inherent to the act of caring.