Codesigning an Online Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Carers of People With Cancer—A Qualitative Study of Carer Needs and Perspectives on Psychological Support

ABSTRACT Background Caring for a person with cancer can be a physically and emotionally demanding role, with cancer carers experiencing disproportionately high rates of depression and anxiety. Existing psychosocial interventions for carers are limited by minimal carer input during development and underutilisation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques. Aims The purpose of this qualitative study was to inform the modification of an established online CBT (iCBT) intervention for cancer patients to be carer centred. Methods Using the Person‐Based Co‐Design Approach, semi‐structured, think‐aloud interviews were conducted with 15 cancer carers, eliciting key carer challenges, cognitions, and behaviours, and ascertaining necessary modifications to transform a patient intervention into a carer intervention. Participants completed sociodemographic and psychosocial questionnaires prior to interviews. Interpretative Description methodology was used for qualitative analysis. Seven carers were re‐interviewed for feedback on the acceptability of modifications for a proposed carer iCBT intervention. Results Carers discussed the stressful and multifaceted nature that contributed to cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses. Carers identified the importance of representing this context in a carer iCBT intervention for relatability, which informed necessary intervention transformations. Carers also had varied preferences regarding intervention design, content and usability. Conclusions Carers expressed substantial unmet psychological needs and held favourable views towards carer‐centred psychological support via self‐directed iCBT. Heterogeneity in carer burden, coping and preferences warrants additional future research into suitable delivery and implementation of carer psychotherapeutic interventions. Recommendations regarding delivery are proposed.