Margo A Halm1. 1. Salem Health, An OHSU Partner, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, OR 97301, USA. Electronic address: Margo.halm@salemhealth.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Caring for coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery patients can be challenging. No studies have explored caregiver burden by age and gender. OBJECTIVE: To describe age and gender-specific concerns, needs and strategies during the first 3 months. METHODS: Themes for burden concerns, needs and strategies were derived from interviews of 32 CABG caregivers using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Age-specific themes related to motivating exercise (<70), applying support hose, and self-reliance (>70). Gender-specific themes related to incision worries and transportation (all females); regulating blood sugars, vital sign anxiety, hurrying back, reinforcing healthy behaviors, and being there (females <70); meal planning, coordinating appointments, and anger over self-care reminders (females >70); caregiver relief, inconsistent information, and doing it all (all males); upsetting scars (males <70), and lost sleep (male >70). CONCLUSIONS: Future research should validate concerns in diverse samples so interventions can be targeted to support male and female caregivers by age groups.
BACKGROUND: Caring for coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery patients can be challenging. No studies have explored caregiver burden by age and gender. OBJECTIVE: To describe age and gender-specific concerns, needs and strategies during the first 3 months. METHODS: Themes for burden concerns, needs and strategies were derived from interviews of 32 CABG caregivers using constant comparative analysis. RESULTS: Age-specific themes related to motivating exercise (<70), applying support hose, and self-reliance (>70). Gender-specific themes related to incision worries and transportation (all females); regulating blood sugars, vital sign anxiety, hurrying back, reinforcing healthy behaviors, and being there (females <70); meal planning, coordinating appointments, and anger over self-care reminders (females >70); caregiver relief, inconsistent information, and doing it all (all males); upsetting scars (males <70), and lost sleep (male >70). CONCLUSIONS: Future research should validate concerns in diverse samples so interventions can be targeted to support male and female caregivers by age groups.
Authors: Paul Keessen; Ingrid Cd van Duijvenbode; Corine Hm Latour; Roderik A Kraaijenhagen; Veronica R Janssen; Harald T Jørstad; Wilma Jm Scholte Op Reimer; Bart Visser Journal: JMIR Cardio Date: 2022-05-25