Internet-based Support for Informal Caregivers of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer - Carer eSupport

A self-reported questionnaire consisting of eight items, responded to on a 5-grade scale (0 not at all prepared - 4 very well prepared) concerning informal caregivers' (ICs) self-reported preparedness to take care of the patient's needs, find out about and set up services, get support from the health care system and manage the stress related to being an informal caregiver. The scores are summed to a scale ranging from 0-32, with a higher score reflecting better preparedness.

A self-reported questionnaire consisting of 22 items responded to on a 4-grade scale (1 Not at all - 4 Often), a higher score indicates a more significant burden. The 22 items may be divided into the factors of General strain, Disappointment, Emotional involvement, Environment, and Isolation, and the mean of all items indicates the total burden.

A self-reported questionnaire consisting of 21 items constituting three subscales, with seven item each, measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. Each item is scored on a 4-grade scale, with higher scores indicating more symptoms.

A self-reported health-related quality of life questionnaire consisting of 36 items measuring physical functioning (10 items), role limitations due to physical (4 items) and emotional (3 items) health problems, social functioning (2 items), emotional well-being (5 items), energy/fatigue (4 items), pain (2 items), and general health perceptions (5 items) and perceived change in health (1 item). All scales are scored so that that the lowest and highest possible scores are set at 0 and 100, respectively. Higher scores indicate a better health-related quality of life.