Predictors of Healthcare Utilization in Family Caregivers of Persons With a Primary Malignant Brain Tumor

BACKGROUND: Negative physical health results from the emotional stress of providing care to a family member with a primary malignant brain tumor; however, the downstream effects on caregivers' healthcare utilization (HCU) are unknown. This analysis examined associations between caregivers' emotional health and markers of HCU during the 6 months after patients' diagnoses. METHODS: Caregivers' self-report HCU data from a longitudinal study with 116 neuro-oncology caregivers were analyzed. Healthcare utilization was operationalized as number of prescription medications, reporting visits to primary care providers (PCPs), nature of PCP visit, number of comorbid conditions, and change in comorbid conditions. Potential predictors were caregivers' depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), hours providing care per day, mastery (Pearlin and Schooler), and burden (Caregiver Reaction Assessment). Logistic mixed effects modeling were used. RESULTS: Caregivers with higher levels of depressive symptoms (P < .01), anxiety (P = .02), burden related to schedule (P = .02), and abandonment (P < .01) were more likely to report worsening comorbid conditions. Those with higher mastery (P = .02) were less likely to report worsening comorbid conditions. Caregivers who had a PCP visit and reported higher burden related to feelings of self-esteem (P = .03) were more likely to report an illness-related visit. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest a relationship between neuro-oncology caregivers' emotional health and their HCU. Data highlight the importance of caregivers' PCPs identifying caregivers at risk for deteriorating health and increased HCU and intervene to ensure caregivers' self-care.

Automated summary

The emotional health of neuro-oncology caregivers is related to their healthcare utilization (HCU). The study highlights the importance of caregivers' primary care providers (PCPs) in identifying caregivers at risk for declining health and increased HCU, and intervening to ensure caregivers' self-care.