What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

The most common treatments for caregiver burnout often involve structured communication tools and support systems, similar to the CHEC intervention. These mechanisms work by systematically identifying the needs and concerns of caregivers through checklists and providing targeted advice and resources via tip sheets for clinicians. This structured approach ensures that caregivers receive personalized support, which can alleviate stress, improve coping strategies, and enhance overall well-being. Addressing caregiver burnout is crucial as it directly impacts the quality of care provided to patients and the mental and physical health of the caregivers themselves.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Treatments for caregiver burnout that focus on improving support and communication, such as the CHEC intervention, generally involve psychosocial interventions like counseling, support groups, and structured communication tools. These treatments are typically low-risk but can have side effects such as emotional distress when discussing challenging topics, temporary increases in anxiety, or frustration if the interventions do not meet the caregiver's expectations. Overall, these side effects are usually mild and manageable with proper support.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of caregiver burnout. The CHEC trial focuses on improving caregiver support and communication through structured tools rather than pharmacological interventions. Generally, treatments for caregiver burnout emphasize non-pharmacological approaches such as counseling, support groups, and structured interventions to enhance communication and support within the caregiving environment.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to CHEC for caregiver burnout include: 1) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs, which have shown broad symptom improvement in various studies; 2) Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tailored for caregivers, which can address psychological distress and improve coping mechanisms; 3) Technology-based interventions such as telehealth support groups and mobile health applications designed to provide resources and support for caregivers; and 4) Psychoeducation programs that offer structured information and strategies to manage caregiving responsibilities effectively.

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CHEC Intervention for Caregiver Support

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Catherine Riffin, PhD

Research Sponsored by Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Patients with sufficient cognitive capacity to consent themselves or through a legal representative

Patients aged 65-89

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up through study completion, up to 1 year

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests the CHEC program, which helps identify and address the needs of caregivers who accompany older patients to doctor visits. It includes a checklist for caregivers' needs and a tip sheet for doctors.

Who is the study for?

This study is for older adults aged 65-89 who are cognitively intact and their family caregivers, both of whom must speak English. Caregivers must be over 21 years old. Clinicians treating patients at the Center on Aging can also participate. Those with severe hearing or visual impairments, or without mutual consent from their care dyad counterpart, cannot join.

What is being tested?

The trial is testing CHEC (Collaborative Healthcare Encounters with Caregivers), which includes a checklist to identify caregiver needs during primary care visits for seniors, plus a Tip Sheet for clinicians to address these concerns compared to usual care practices.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves non-medical procedures like checklists and educational materials rather than drugs or medical treatments, there are no traditional side effects associated with it.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I can make my own medical decisions or have someone legally appointed to do so.

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I am between 65 and 89 years old.

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I speak English.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ through study completion, up to 1 year

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~through study completion, up to 1 year

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and through study completion, up to 1 year for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Acceptable length of CHEC, as measured by the proportion of caregivers who report that the checklist is an acceptable length

Accrual rate, as measured by the number of caregivers who complete the checklist

CHEC's ease of use, as measured by the proportion of caregivers who report that the checklist is easy to use

+4 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Caregiver Checklist (CHEC)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

CHEC is composed of two elements: 1) a checklist to identify the needs and concerns of unpaid/family caregivers who accompany older adults (aged 65+) to their primary care visits and 2) Tip Sheet for clinicians.

Group II: Usual careActive Control1 Intervention

Attendance at primary care appointments as usual.

0 / 3Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for caregiver burnout often involve structured communication tools and support systems, similar to the CHEC intervention. These mechanisms work by systematically identifying the needs and concerns of caregivers through checklists and providing targeted advice and resources via tip sheets for clinicians. This structured approach ensures that caregivers receive personalized support, which can alleviate stress, improve coping strategies, and enhance overall well-being. Addressing caregiver burnout is crucial as it directly impacts the quality of care provided to patients and the mental and physical health of the caregivers themselves.