Impact of a Family Caregiver Training Program in Kolkata, India on Post-Operative Health Behaviors and Outcomes of Cardiothoracic Surgical Patients

This study evaluates the effect of the Care Companion Program (CCP), an in-hospital education and certification program that teaches family caregivers basic skills to support a post-surgical patient during recovery. This study was based on a quasi-experimental design at a tertiary care facility in Kolkata, India, in which 188 patient-caregiver dyads were selected to participate. One hundred dyads received standard of care (SoC), and 88 dyads were offered the intervention CCP. Patient-caregiver dyads were evaluated on patient complications and healthcare utilization; Caregiver Activation Measure; and health-promoting behaviors and medication adherence. Assessments were completed at baseline, discharge, and 30 days post-discharge.