Factors associated with high care burden of primary caregivers of children with medical complexity after completing a discharge-support program in a recovery center

Impact of pediatric tracheostomy on family caregivers' burden and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

The incidence of pediatric tracheostomy is on the rise. More children are undergoing tracheostomy at a younger age and living longer and cared for at home. Caring for children with tracheostomy affects the caregivers' Quality of Life (QOL) and caregiver burden. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of pediatric tracheostomy on caregivers' QOL and caregiver burden.

Methods

We performed a search for quantitative studies measuring QOL, caregiver burden and related factors such as psychological distress, coping, stress, and financial strain using validated instruments, reported by caregivers of children with tracheostomy. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, CINAHL, and PsycINFO with the following search terms: "pediatrics," "tracheostomy," "quality of life," "caregivers," "care burden" from the inception of respective databases to 23rd May 2024. Meta-analysis was conducted using R (version 4.3.1).

Results

Twenty-three studies (1,299 caregivers) were included in systematic review. Seven studies (469 caregivers) using Pediatric Quality of Life Family Integrated Module underwent meta-analysis. The pooled mean total family impact score, parental health-related QOL, family functioning score were 70.29 [95% CI, 61.20-79.37], 69.27 [95% CI, 60.88-77.67], and 72.96 [95% CI, 65.92-80.00] respectively. Other key instruments were the Pediatric Tracheostomy Health Status Instrument and Zarit Burden Interview. Qualitative synthesis identified several risk factors for lower QOL and higher caregiver burden: comorbidities in children, younger age at tracheostomy, need for additional medical equipment, presence of older siblings, higher financial strain, being the sole caregiver or being unmarried, and maternal depression. Caregivers' QOL correlated positively with coping and negatively with stress which is, in turn, associated with medical complications in the first year and the duration of tracheostomy. About 40% of mothers experienced moderate to severe caregiver burden while caring for their children with tracheostomy and this was significantly correlated with depression. Encouragingly, parents also reported positive experience including closeness of the family, feeling stronger, and having a strong sense of mastery.

Discussion

Caregivers of children with tracheostomy experience low QOL and high caregiver burden, which were exacerbated by various medical and psychosocial factors. QOL should be assessed during clinical encounters to identify caregivers who require additional support which includes learning coping and stress reduction strategies.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=334457, identifier CRD42022334457.

Effectiveness of a Supportive Program on Caregiver Burden of Families Caring for Patients on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation at Home: An Experimental Study

The prevalence of patients on mechanical ventilation who are being supported at home is increasing. Due to these patients' complex and chronic conditions, the subjective burden on their family caregivers increases after discharge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a supportive home care program on the caregiver burden of families caring for patients on invasive mechanical ventilation at home. Sixty patients hospitalized in three university-affiliated hospitals in Tehran, Iran between 7/2020 and 8/2021 were randomly assigned to one of two groups: A supportive home care program, and routine hospital education. The supportive home care program included six educational sessions delivered in the hospital before discharge, and home visits and continued education after discharge. Caregiver burden was measured using the Zarit Burden Interview. Results showed that caregiver burden increased significantly (p ≥ .001) after discharge without the supportive home care program intervention. Follow-up by nurses after discharge is essential to reduce the psychological burden of caring for patients on invasive mechanical ventilation at home.

Long-term mechanical ventilation and transitions in care: A narrative review

OBJECTIVES

Individuals dependent on long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV) for their day-to-day living are a heterogenous population who go through several transitions over their lifetime. This paper describes three transitions: 1) institution/hospital to community/home, 2) pediatric to adult care, and 3) active treatment to end-of-life for ventilator-assisted individuals (VAIs).

METHODS

A narrative review based on literature and the author's collective practical and research experience. Four online databases were searched for relevant articles. A manual search for additional articles was completed and the results are summarized.

RESULTS

Transitions from hospital to home, pediatric to adult care, and to end-of-life for VAIs are complex and challenging processes. Although there are several LTMV clinical practice guidelines highlighting key components for successful transition, there still exists gaps and inconsistencies in care. Most of the literature and experiences reported to date have been in developed countries or geographic areas with funded healthcare systems.

CONCLUSIONS

For successful transitions, the VAIs and their support network must be front-and-center. There should be a coordinated, systematic, and holistic plan (including a multi-disciplinary team), life-time follow-up, with bespoke consideration of jurisdiction and individual circumstances.