Abby J Schwartz1, Richard F Riedel2,3, Thomas W LeBlanc3,4, Devi Desai5, Carol Jenkins6, Ellen Mahoney7, Janice Humphreys8, Cristina C Hendrix8. 1. East Carolina University School of Social Work, Mail Stop 505, 1000 E. Fifth St, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA. schwartza15@ecu.edu. 2. Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA. 3. Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA. 4. Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA. 5. Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC, USA. 6. East Carolina University School of Social Work, Mail Stop 505, 1000 E. Fifth St, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA. 7. Boston College School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA. 8. Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study addressed the experiences of older caregivers of cancer patients in the 2 weeks following a hospital discharge. It sought to understand the challenges they face in providing supportive care to patients at home. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive interviews with a narrative approach were conducted with each caregiver at 1 and 2 weeks following the patient's discharge from the hospital. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify the themes that emerged from the caregiver interviews. RESULTS: Caregivers were primarily Caucasian (77%), were mostly 68 years of age or older (62%), and were primarily caring for a spouse (69%). Three key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: caregiver and patient wellness are connected, caregivers' struggle with control issues, and challenges in communication with health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight psychosocial changes that caregivers experience over the 2-week time period following hospital discharge. Implications include the need to identify interventions to better prepare caregivers for the post-discharge period.
PURPOSE: This study addressed the experiences of older caregivers of cancerpatients in the 2 weeks following a hospital discharge. It sought to understand the challenges they face in providing supportive care to patients at home. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive interviews with a narrative approach were conducted with each caregiver at 1 and 2 weeks following the patient's discharge from the hospital. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify the themes that emerged from the caregiver interviews. RESULTS: Caregivers were primarily Caucasian (77%), were mostly 68 years of age or older (62%), and were primarily caring for a spouse (69%). Three key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: caregiver and patient wellness are connected, caregivers' struggle with control issues, and challenges in communication with health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight psychosocial changes that caregivers experience over the 2-week time period following hospital discharge. Implications include the need to identify interventions to better prepare caregivers for the post-discharge period.
Entities:
Keywords:
Care coordination; Caregiving; Hospital/ambulatory care; Qualitative research; Transitions in care
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