Clinical Edge


Video coaching may relieve anxiety and distress for long-distance cancer caregivers

Key clinical point: Anxiety and distress related to caring for a cancer patient who lives far away may be alleviated through an intervention that includes video-based coaching sessions with an advanced practice nurse or social worker.

Major finding: Roughly 20% of long-distance caregivers had a significant reduction in anxiety (P = .03) and 25% had a significant reduction in distress (P = .02) when they received video-coaching sessions, attended oncologist visits via video, and had access to a website specifically designed for their needs.

Study details: A randomized 4-month study including 311 caregivers who lived at least an hour away from the cancer patient.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Researchers disclosed relationships with BridgeBio Pharma, Cardinal Health, Apexigen, Roche/Genentech, Seattle Genetics, Tesaro, Array BioPharma, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Celgene.


Douglas SL et al. ASCO 2020, Abstract 12123.