Effects of Family Empowerment Program on Symptom Management and Comfort among Palliative Care Patients in Ratchasasan District, Chachoengsao Province.

Abstract

      This quasi-experimental research, utilizing a one-group pretest-posttest design, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Family Empowerment Program (4Es) on caregivers' symptom management competency and the comfort level of terminal patients. The sample consisted of 10 pairs of terminal patients and their primary caregivers residing in Ratchasasan District, selected through total enumeration and purposive sampling. The research instruments included: 1) the Family Empowerment Program (4Es) and the "Palliative Kit" innovation, 2) a Symptom Management Competency Scale, and 3) a Patient Comfort Scale. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Paired t-test. The results revealed that After participating in the program, the mean comfort level score of terminal patients was significantly higher than before the intervention (p < .05), increasing from 2.45 (SD = 0.52) to 4.12 (SD = 0.48). 90.00% of primary caregivers achieved the symptom management competency threshold (80%). The highest competency scores were observed in managing dyspnea and patient positioning. The "Palliative Kit" innovation, combined with follow-up via the LINE application, effectively enhanced caregiver confidence and reduced anxiety regarding home-based care.