Building Cancer Caregiver Skills Using Simulation

Family caregivers are a critical extension of the healthcare team, yet little attention is paid to providing support, information, and training to caregivers in clinical practice. This randomized clinical trial, led by Dr. Susan Mazanec, is testing a psychoeducational intervention that incorporates simulation to train caregivers in skills needed during and after radiation treatment.

Caregivers in the intervention arm receive three, one-on-one sessions with a nurse interventionist during radiation treatments followed by a two-week follow-up call. Interventionists use simulation with mannequins (traditionally used to train clinicians) to teach skills such as mouth and skin care, managing medical devices such as feeding tubes and colostomies, and communication skills. Through surveys given during and after radiation treatment, we assess the effects of the intervention on caregiver, patient, and healthcare utilization outcomes.

We will recruit 180 caregivers from University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. This research is funded by the National Cancer Institute (R37CA240707) and sponsored by the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Meet the Team