To identify associations between supportive care needs, perceived peer support, and well-being among unpaid cancer caregivers (UCCs) in regional, rural and remote (RRR) Queensland, Australia.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 202 adult UCCs for individuals with advanced cancer in RRR Queensland. Participants completed validated measures assessing unmet needs, perceived social support, psychological distress, caregiver burden, and spiritual need. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM).

CNAT-C, MSPSS, DASS-20, and CDS mean (SD) scores were 1.95 (0.48), 4.63 (1.30), 1.65 (0.59), and 2.66 (0.62), respectively. Practical support was the highest unmet need (M=2.04, SD=0.61), followed by hospital facilities/services (M=1.99, SD=0.59) and healthcare staff (M=1.98, SD=0.59). Internal consistency was high across measures (α=0.806–0.924). Higher unmet needs and perceived peer support were associated with greater distress and poorer well-being (all p<.001). CNAT-C and MSPSS predicted DASS-20 (R2=.236); CNAT-C predicted CDS (R2=.251), whereas MSPSS was not significant. The SEM demonstrated good model fit.

UCCs residing in RRR Queensland reported substantial unmet needs, especially for related to PS and healthcare services. Greater unmet needs were associated with poorer caregiver well-being. The positive association between perceived social support and distress suggests support may be mobilized in response to heightened caregiver strain and highlights the importance of considering the appropriateness and quality of support, alongside availability, for caregivers in RRR settings.

Carers of people living with breathlessness face common challenges due to the chronic, distressing and unpredictable nature of the symptom. These include unmet information and support needs resulting in worsened health and psychosocial outcomes. This review aimed to (1) identify the relative volume of studies on supportive interventions for carers of people living with breathlessness due to different respiratory diseases, (2) characterize the nature of the interventions, and (3) explore their reported effectiveness on outcomes identified by carers as being important.

Medline and CINAHL were searched for studies reporting interventions targeting unpaid adult carers of people with breathlessness, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) published 2000-2025. Intervention characteristics and reported outcomes were extracted and compared across diagnoses and intervention categories. Our findings were shaped by consultation with unpaid carers in a series of patient and public involvement workshops.

From 72 included interventions, three approaches were identified: Education, therapeutic support, and interventions for patient management. Interventions for lung cancer carers most frequently offered therapeutic support to the carer, while those for COPD carers most frequently focused on managing the patient. COPD and ILD carers have been underserved by research. We found few therapeutic support interventions for COPD carers. Reporting of carer demographics was poor, including among RCTs.

There was a dominance of research focusing on carers of people with lung cancer (56% of participants). In PPI consultations, carers identified stigma and poor communication with health providers as factors contributing to the disparity between lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. More research is needed to compare the efficacy of different intervention strategies to improve outcomes that matter most to carers. To improve equity, researchers must consistently report carer demographics and prioritize developing interventions for carers underserved by research.

Unpaid cancer caregivers (UCCs) are the primary caretakers of individuals with cancer, often shouldering caregiver responsibilities without prior preparation, which leads to a sense of isolation, particularly in remote and rural areas where healthcare access is challenging. Thus, this systematic review aimed to explore the perceived and/or received peer support needs of UCCs residing in rural and remote areas with a specific focus on informational, practical, and emotional needs.

Seven databases (CINAHL, ScienceDirect, PUBMED/MEDLINE, PROQUEST, Web of Science, Scopus, and Informit) were searched from 2004 to 2024. Peer-reviewed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies published in English were considered for this review. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute System for Unified Management, Assessment, and Review of Information and presented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Quality and bias were assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

In total, 8 primary studies were included: 4 qualitative, 2 mixed methods, 1 cross-sectional, and 1 prospective survey. Four themes were identified: (1) Emotional, practical, and informational unmet needs; (2) Lack of peer support on the physical and emotional well-being of UCCs in remote and rural areas; (3) Lack of supportive services in remote and rural areas; and (4) Access to flexible peer support.

This review revealed the unique unmet needs of UCCs in remote and rural areas, where a lack of reliable and accessible resources adversely leads to impaired UCCs’ overall well-being. Addressing these unmet needs is essential to enhance the support system for UCCs living in such regions. By identifying the gaps, the review underscores the need for developing a peer support model tailored to the specific needs of UCCs in rural and remote communities.