Olesen LK, la Cour K, With H, Handberg C. Reflections of family caregivers and health professionals on the everyday challenges of caring for persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cognitive impairments: a qualitative study.
Palliat Care Soc Pract 2022;
16:26323524221077702. [PMID:
35187490 PMCID:
PMC8855464 DOI:
10.1177/26323524221077702]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims and objectives:
To explore reflections of family caregivers and health professionals
regarding the challenges involved in caring for persons with amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis and cognitive and/or behavioral impairments
(PALS/CIs).
Background:
Family caregivers of PALS/CIs are highly burdened and at great risk of
psychological sequela. Professionals working with these families can be
negatively affected on their well-being and are at risk of burnout.
Design:
The design was a qualitative interview study.
Methods:
One focus group and 10 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted
with seven family caregivers and nine professionals after the death of a
PALS/CIs. The analysis was guided by the interpretive description
methodology and the theory of sense of coherence. This study adheres to the
COREQ guidelines and the ICMJE recommendations.
Results:
The family caregivers’ challenges regarding coping with everyday needs
related to the sick person were associated with ‘Accepting that nothing else
matters’, ‘Adjusting to new roles while balancing’, and ‘Realizing different
values in relationships’; whereas the professionals’ challenges were related
to ‘Collaboration a balancing act’, ‘Working in a home of sorrow’, and
‘Coordinating threads to tie’.
Conclusion:
Family caregivers found coping with the complexity of the diseases a
challenge, and their everyday life needed constant adjustment to new roles,
coping with inappropriate behavior, and navigating through the progression
of the diseases of their sick relatives while collaborating with numerous
professionals. The professionals struggled with coordinating and
collaborating with the families and with other colleagues due to the
severeness and complexity of diseases.
Relevance to clinical practice:
Findings point to the importance of relationships for caregivers and
professionals and a need to provide support through an online palliative
rehabilitation program that encompass coping strategies in relation to the
diseases.
Trial registration details:
Id no. NCT 04638608.
Collapse