Mary Scherbring1. 1. Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. scherbring.mary@mayo.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To identify the level of lay caregiver burden and perception of preparedness that exists for the oncology population prior to and just after hospital discharge. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational design using repeated measures. SETTING: Large, tertiary care, private medical center in the midwestern United States. SAMPLE: 59 lay caregivers of patients with cancer who were discharged from inpatient hospital status. METHODS: Caregivers completed Robinson's Caregiver Strain Index and Archbold's Preparedness Scale questionnaires immediately prior to discharge, 7-10 days postdischarge, and 28-30 days postdischarge. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Caregivers' perception of preparedness and burden. FINDINGS: Preparedness levels ranged from "somewhat" to "pretty well" prepared and were consistent over time. Burden levels were moderate and also consistent over time. Increased levels of preparedness were associated with decreased levels of burden, and that relationship was consistent over time. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers' levels of preparedness can be enhanced, although no significant differences were reported in the period from prehospital discharge to one month following discharge. Burden experiences of caregivers are real and not affected by the transition from hospital to home. Burden experiences can be influenced by perceptions of preparedness. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Efforts to enhance the preparedness of lay caregivers can influence their burden experience.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To identify the level of lay caregiver burden and perception of preparedness that exists for the oncology population prior to and just after hospital discharge. DESIGN: Descriptive, correlational design using repeated measures. SETTING: Large, tertiary care, private medical center in the midwestern United States. SAMPLE: 59 lay caregivers of patients with cancer who were discharged from inpatient hospital status. METHODS: Caregivers completed Robinson's Caregiver Strain Index and Archbold's Preparedness Scale questionnaires immediately prior to discharge, 7-10 days postdischarge, and 28-30 days postdischarge. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Caregivers' perception of preparedness and burden. FINDINGS: Preparedness levels ranged from "somewhat" to "pretty well" prepared and were consistent over time. Burden levels were moderate and also consistent over time. Increased levels of preparedness were associated with decreased levels of burden, and that relationship was consistent over time. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers' levels of preparedness can be enhanced, although no significant differences were reported in the period from prehospital discharge to one month following discharge. Burden experiences of caregivers are real and not affected by the transition from hospital to home. Burden experiences can be influenced by perceptions of preparedness. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Efforts to enhance the preparedness of lay caregivers can influence their burden experience.
Authors: Cristina C Hendrix; Donald E Bailey; Karen E Steinhauser; Maren K Olsen; Karen M Stechuchak; Sarah G Lowman; Abby J Schwartz; Richard F Riedel; Francis J Keefe; Laura S Porter; James A Tulsky Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-06-12 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Birgit Flechl; Michael Ackerl; Cornelia Sax; Stefan Oberndorfer; Bernadette Calabek; Eefje Sizoo; Jaap Reijneveld; Richard Crevenna; Mohammad Keilani; Alexander Gaiger; Karin Dieckmann; Matthias Preusser; Martin J B Taphoorn; Christine Marosi Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2013-02-15 Impact factor: 4.130