Homecare skills and overburden of caregivers of hospitalized chronic patients

Abstract

Objective: To describe care competence and its association with overburden of caregivers of patients with chronic diseases. Method: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample. Three instruments were used for data collection: the GCPC-UN instrument for caregiver-patient characterization, the Homecare Skills Questionnaire (CUIDAR, as per its name in Spanish), and the Zarit Burden Interview. Participants in this study were 102 caregivers of people hospitalized in a health institution who met the inclusion criteria. Results: Caregivers were mainly women, had a low level of education, high burden (56.8%), and high level of care competence (68.6%). A statistically significant correlation was found between overburden and overall scores on the CUIDAR instrument, as well as with the following categories: knowledge, uniqueness and anticipation. Conclusion: Homecare competence is associated with overburden of caregivers of people with CNCDs. Therefore, nursing teams have to identify the needs of caregivers and take action so as to contribute to seamless transitions to patients’ homes.

Keywords

• family caregivers
• chronic disease
• caregiver burden
• nursing