A Pilot Effectiveness and Implementation Trial of CSNAT-I in Hong Kong

Refinement, Pilot Implementation, and Testing of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool Intervention (CSNAT-I) in Hong Kong Palliative Care Settings

In this hybrid Type 1 effectiveness-implementation pilot randomized controlled trial, 60 caregivers will be randomized into either the CSNAT-I group or usual care. Preliminary effectiveness outcomes include caregiver burden, distress, and health-related quality of life. Preliminary implementation outcomes include feasibility, fidelity, appropriateness, acceptability, cost of the intervention, as well as barriers and facilitators to intervention implementation. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive analysis and linear mixed effects model, while qualitative data using thematic analysis. The CSNAT-I is expected to be preliminarily effective in improving caregiver outcomes and implementable in Hong Kong palliative care context, which will serve as the foundation for a large trial before integration into daily practice.

Inclusion Criteria

• adults ≥18 years old;
• family members taking a primary role in patient care at home as nominated by the palliative cancer patient;
• ability to communicate in Chinese.

Exclusion Criteria:

• paid caregivers;
• unable to complete the questionnaire due to mental impairment determined by physicians.