Investigating the Needs of Caregivers of Patients Suffering from Chronic Diseases: A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Pierrakos, George 
Intas, George 
Katsarou, Aggeliki 
Issue Date: 1-Jul-2023
Journal: Indian Journal of Palliative Care 
Volume: 29
Issue: 3
Keywords: Carers, Chronic diseases, Long-term care networks, Needs
Abstract: 
Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the needs of carers of patients suffering from chronic diseases. Material and Methods: The present study is a mixed approach, quantitative and qualitative. The study population consisted of 560 caregivers of patients with chronic diseases. The data collection was done with an improvised needs survey questionnaire, which included 57 questions. The questionnaire surveyed carers ‘financial needs, social needs, psychological needs, and patients’ education needs. The Cronbach-a index of the Patient Needs Survey was 0.956 and that of caregivers was 0.965. Carers’ burden of care was assessed with The Zarit Burden Interview scale. The statistical analysis of the data was done with the statistical program IBM SPSS for Windows version 26.0. Results: The main diseases of the patients were chronic renal failure (22.6%), multiple sclerosis (19%), cancer (19%), diabetes mellitus (7.1%), dementia (6%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (6%). The majority of patients (82.1%) had health problems for more than 24 months. Caregivers provided 12.5 ± 8.3 h of daycare and cared for patients for more than 24 months (73.2%). Caregivers seek information from health professionals (4.41 ± 1.2), need more information (4.11 ± 1.4), feel stressed about the role of caregiver (3.91 ± 1.3), time available for vacation is limited (3.89 ± 1.4), time available for entertainment is limited (3.80 ± 1.3) and they feel intimidated with the role of carer (3.76 ± 1.3). The caregivers’ charge was 42.4 ± 19.6. Most caregivers reported moderate to severe burdens. Conclusion: Caregivers experience a lack of clear and comprehensible information about the treatment that caring patients receive, as well as a lack of ongoing care from health professionals.
ISSN: 1998-3735
0973-1075
DOI: 10.25259/IJPC_179_2022
URI: https://uniwacris.uniwa.gr/handle/3000/2313
Type: Article
Department: Department of Business Administration 
School: School of Administrative, Economics and Social Sciences 
Affiliation: University of West Attica (UNIWA) 
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