Structuring Caregiver Education at Treatment Initiation

Panelists discuss how caregivers and families should be built into the education plan at the start of first-line therapy for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The conversation covers identifying the primary caregiver up front and speaking with that person directly, confirming the household knows what to expect, when to call for mild versus urgent symptoms, and how to reach the practice during business hours and through the after-hours on-call operator on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Panelists describe finding out how each patient and caregiver prefers to learn, following up with written instructions through the patient portal, and relying on caregivers to report symptoms such as shortness of breath that patients minimize. Early social work referral is recommended as neutral support. Panelists also note that socioeconomic and educational status determines which resources a patient needs to succeed with preventive measures.