Influencing Factors on the Needs for Hospice Palliative Care among Caregivers of Patients with Cancer

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to describe the needs and knowledge for hospice palliative care, to identify the caregiving burden among cancer caregivers, and to determine factors that influence the needs for hospice palliative care. Methods: This study was designed with a descriptive correlation study with structured questionnaires. Data were collected from 162 caregivers of patients with cancer from September 2018 to March 2019 in a university-affiliated hospital in Seoul, Korea. Cancer patients' needs, knowl-edge of hospice palliative care, and caregiving burden were measured. Data analysis was performed with descriptive statistics, inde-pendent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 pro-gram. Results: The mean needs score was 90.32 +/- 17.12, the correct answers rate of knowledge items was 47.5%, and the mean score of caregiving burden was 32.53 +/- 13.94. In the regression model, knowledge, caregiving burden, age, and relationship with the patient were identified as the influencing factors of the needs of caregivers (F=6.98, p<. 001) and showed a variance of 16%. Conclusion: This study highlights the unmet needs for early palliative care. Policies and social support should be established to alleviate the care -giving burden, enhance knowledge, and reduce the need for hospice palliative care. These factors are essential not only for caregivers but also for patients with cancer.