The experience of family caregivers of patients receiving home nasogastric tube feeding in China: A descriptive qualitative study

Teaching and learning strategies in Home Enteral Nutritional Therapy: Knowledge gains perceived by caregivers

Abstract Objective: to evaluate how different educational strategies contribute to knowledge gains perceived by caregivers of people using Enteral Nutritional Therapy. Method: a quasi-experimental study conducted in two stages: the first one included an interactive lecture class (LC) and the second was carried out in two groups: in-situ simulated skills training (ST) and reading of an educational booklet (EB). The caregivers answered a self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge before and after the interventions; for the analysis, a generalized linear model with Poisson distribution was proposed and the comparisons were carried out using orthogonal contrasts. Results: the participants were 30 caregivers; evidence of a difference in knowledge between the t1and t0 moments is evidenced. The analysis of the final comparison about the knowledge gain between the EB and ST groups, according to Student’s t, evidenced an estimated difference of -1,33, with 95% CI (-4.98; 2.31) and p-value=0.46. Conclusion: knowledge was further increased between the t1 and t0 moments, when compared to the t2 and t1 moments in both groups. When compared, we cannot conclude that one of the groups changed more than the other in relation to moment t0 and t2; thus, the study evidenced the knowledge gain after all the educational strategies in both groups.

Estrategias de enseñanza y aprendizaje en Terapia Enteral domiciliaria: adquisición de conocimiento percibida por los cuidadores

Resumen Objetivo: evaluar cómo las diferentes estrategias educativas contribuyen a la adquisición de conocimiento percibida por los cuidadores de personas que utilizan Terapia Nutricional Enteral. Método: estudio cuasiexperimental realizado en dos etapas; la primera incluyó una clase expositiva dialogada (CE) y la segunda se desarrolló en dos grupos: entrenamiento de habilidades (EH) simuladas in situ y lectura del folleto educativo (FE). Los cuidadores respondieron un cuestionario autoadministrado para evaluar el conocimiento pre-posintervenciones; para el análisis se propuso un modelo lineal generalizado con distribución de Poisson y las comparaciones se realizaron mediante contrastes ortogonales. Resultados: participaron 30 cuidadores, había evidencias de la diferencia de conocimiento entre los tiempos t1 y t0. El análisis de la comparación final sobre el aumento de conocimientos entre los grupos FE y EH, mediante la prueba t de Student, mostró una diferencia estimada de -1,33, con un IC del 95% (-4,98; 2,31) y un valor de p de 0,46. Conclusión: hubo un mayor aumento del conocimiento entre los tiempos t1 y t0, que entre los tiempos t2 y t1 en ambos grupos. Al compararlos, no podemos concluir que uno de los grupos cambió más que el otro entre t0 y t2; por lo tanto, el estudio demostró que hubo adquisición de conocimiento después de todas las estrategias educativas en ambos grupos.

Estratégias de ensino e aprendizagem na Terapia Enteral domiciliar: ganhos de conhecimentos percebidos por cuidadores

Resumo Objetivo: avaliar como diferentes estratégias educativas contribuem para ganhos de conhecimento percebidos por cuidadores de pessoas em uso da Terapia Nutricional Enteral. Método: estudo quase-experimental realizado em duas etapas; a primeira contemplou uma aula expositiva dialogada (AE) e a segunda aconteceu em dois grupos: treino de habilidades (TH) simulado in situ e leitura da cartilha educativa (CE). Os cuidadores responderam um questionário autoaplicável para avaliação de conhecimentos em pré e pós-intervenções; para a análise foi proposto um modelo linear generalizado com distribuição Poisson e as comparações foram realizadas por contrastes ortogonais. Resultados: participaram 30 cuidadores, observou-se evidência de diferença de conhecimento entre os tempos t1 e t0. A análise da comparação final sobre o aumento do conhecimento entre os grupos CE e TH, por teste t-Student, evidenciou uma diferença estimada de -1,33, com IC 95% (-4,98; 2,31) e valor de p de 0,46. Conclusão: ocorreu uma maior elevação de conhecimento entre os tempos t1 e t0, quando comparada os tempos t2 e t1 em ambos os grupos. Quando comparados, não podemos concluir que um dos grupos mudou mais que o outro em relação aos tempos t0 e t2; assim, o estudo evidenciou o ganho de conhecimento após todas as estratégias educativas nos dois grupos.

Transiting Back Home: Caregivers' Lived Experiences in Caring for Loved Ones on the Nasogastric Tube in the Home-Setting in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

Little is understood about caregivers' lived experiences when first caring for patients on the nasogastric tube at home in an Asian setting. To enhance understanding, our study aimed to chart these caregivers' psycho-emotional evolutions felt during such caregiving experiences in Singapore.

METHOD

Utilizing purposive sampling, a descriptive phenomenological study was performed, with semi-structured interviews of 10 caregivers of persons on nasogastric tube feeding conducted. Thematic analysis was utilized.

RESULTS

Our findings chart four psycho-emotional transitions of a caregiver's journey in nasogastric tube feeding and the cultural dynamics involved-(a) Disruption of Caregivers' Normality: Attempting to Grasp Reality, (b) Encountering Road-Blocks: Despondency Arises and Frustrations Abound, (c) Adjusting to the New Normal: Reclaiming Confidence and Positivity, (d) Thriving and Integrating into the New Normal, and (e) Cultural Dynamics At Play.

DISCUSSION

Our findings illuminate the understanding of caregivers' varying needs, guiding delivery of culturally-congruent caregiver support targeted at each psycho-emotional evolution.

A qualitative systematic review of family caregivers' experiences of artificial nutrition and hydration at home: A meta-ethnography

BACKGROUND

Artificial nutrition and hydration (AN&H) may be provided to individuals in the home environment, and family caregivers are often involved in the management of this intervention. This experience can have multiple consequences for families.

AIMS

The aim of this meta-ethnography is to explore and synthesize the personal experiences of family caregivers providing care to a person receiving home AN&H.

METHODS & PROCEDURES

A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted without any time limitations applied. Seven stages of meta-ethnography were followed. Public and patient involvement was incorporated into the development of the line of argument synthesis in this review. This review is reported following the eMERGe guidelines and it was registered in PROSPERO.

MAIN CONTRIBUTION

A total of 22 studies were included representing the experiences of 336 family caregivers. Two main themes emerged: (1) sink or swim, being thrown in at the deep end; and (2) professional support as a bedrock. The first theme represents the experiences from the very start of home AN&H when the family caregivers may be overwhelmed with the level of skills they have to acquire. With time, family caregivers perceived the benefits, but also the challenges, associated with managing home AN&H. If a person receiving home AN&H was able to continue with some oral intake, it had a positive impact on family caregivers' experiences. The second theme represents the influence of professional support on the lived experience of family caregivers managing home AN&H. This support should be individualized, comprehensive, and co-created with the family caregiver and the person receiving home AN&H.

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

This review concluded that caring for a person receiving home AN&H can be very challenging for family caregivers. Family caregivers require personalized support from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to acquire skills, competence and confidence in this new role. Speech and language therapists are important members of this multidisciplinary team because they can facilitate a continuation of oral intake as appropriate.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject AN&H has an impact not only on the person receiving it but also on the wider family and family caregivers. Healthcare professionals have a role in supporting people living with AN&H. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This review presents a rigorous qualitative evidence synthesis that adheres fully to the eMERGe guidance for reporting of meta-ethnography. Within this meta-ethnography a current caregiver was consulted during the creation of the line of argument synthesis to provide a unique perspective to the review process. This review synthesized the current body of evidence that explores the lived experience of home AN&H (any type) for family caregivers, identifies where professional support is required and highlights current gaps. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Family caregivers require personalized support from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to adjust to living with home AN&H. This support assists people living with home AN&H in perceiving benefits and developing more positive experiences. Speech and language therapists are important members of the multidisciplinary team supporting individuals with home AN&H and their family caregivers as they can facilitate a continuation of oral intake as appropriate.