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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. "In God We Trust": An Exploratory Study of the Associations Between Religiosity and the Caregiving Experiences of Parents of Children with Rare Diseases in Poland. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2024:10.1007/s10943-024-02095-4. [PMID: 39103591 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-024-02095-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Most children with a rare disease are cared for by their family members but parenting such a child is extremely demanding due to the complexity and severity of symptoms, with serious physical, emotional, social, and financial consequences for caregivers. Although religion may serve as a positive coping strategy, little is known about its role in helping caregivers manage the stress related to the burden of caregiving in Poland. Therefore, we surveyed 925 Polish family caregivers of children with rare diseases to understand the association between caregivers' religiosity and their caring experiences. The findings suggest that parents' religiosity is associated with a more positive caregiving experience, perceived quality of life, and experienced caregiving burden. While religious caregivers reported experiencing less distressing emotions and stressed the encouraging impact of their child's disease on their life more often, non-religious caregivers experienced role captivity and role overload more frequently. Since religion may serve as a source of strength and a protecting factor against mental health problems and the burden of caregiving, healthcare professionals should be aware of the importance of religious and spiritual care, and caregivers' religiosity should be considered an integral part of a holistic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 7, St, 60-806, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Walkowiak
- Department of Organization and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. Invisible patients in rare diseases: parental experiences with the healthcare and social services for children with rare diseases. A mixed method study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14016. [PMID: 38890437 PMCID: PMC11189503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63962-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explores the experiences of Polish caregivers of children with rare disease (CRD) with health care and social services for CRD. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using an open-ended questionnaire with a convenience sample. Quantitative data presented through descriptive statistics, were complemented by thematic analysis applied to qualitative responses. Responses from 925 caregivers of 1002 children with CRD revealed that the duration of the diagnostic journey varied, spanning from 0 to 18 years, with an average time of 1.7 years. Similarly, the average number of physicians consulted before receiving the correct diagnosis was 4.8. The Internet was basic source of information about children's disease. Although caregivers were to some extent satisfied with the quality of health care for CRD, they complained at the accessibility of health care and social services, physicians' ignorance regarding RDs, the lack of co-ordinated care and financial and psychological support. To break the cycle of the diagnostic and therapeutic odyssey that may aggravate the condition of CRD, cause parental stress and financial burden there is a need to change our view on CRD from cure to family-oriented care. Multifaceted challenges and needs of CRD families should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 7, St., 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Walkowiak
- Department of Organisation and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. Evaluating the challenges and needs of parents caring for children with Williams syndrome: A preliminary study from Poland. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2024; 145:104669. [PMID: 38215502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although physical, cognitive and behavioural manifestations of Williams syndrome (WS) affect every dimension of caregivers lives, no studies on the parental experiences of caring for a WS child have to date been carried out in Poland. METHODS In order to identify the challenges and needs of Polish carers of WS children a survey was conducted with 32 family caregivers who were supported by the Polish Williams Syndrome Association. RESULTS While caregivers were mostly challenged by their WS child's behaviours, health problems and mood swings, many parents experienced fatigue, intimacy problems with the partner and deterioration of mental health. They were also burdened by the lack of time for themselves and work restrictions resulting from caregiving responsibilities. Even though parents positively assessed quality of medical care for WS children, still many expressed their dissatisfaction both with the way the healthcare system for WS children works in Poland and complained about the doctors' lack of knowledge about WS, access to specialist care and lack of support from government and social institutions. Although many parents stressed positive impact of rising WS child, more than half experienced role captivity or role overload and felt not being understood by others. They also experienced variety of distressing emotions, including impatience, emotional lability, helplessness, anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS Although many WS parents stressed the affirmative aspect of raising WS child this research shows that the burden of caring for such a child goes far beyond clinical aspects and seriously affects every aspect of parents' lives, including their mental health, daily lives, family, their professional and social lives. Because apart from the daily challenges related to caring for a WS child, parents' dealings with the healthcare system and support services represent major problems there is a the need for a bio-psychosocial approach to WS that should include not only WS children, but also their caregivers. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS?: 1. It analyses the challenges and needs of parents caring for children with Williams syndrome; 2. It provides evidence that the impact of caring for WS children goes far beyond clinical aspects and seriously affects every aspect of parents' lives, including their mental health, daily lives, family, their professional and social lives; 3. It also shows that, apart from the daily challenges related to caring for a WS child, parents' dealings with the healthcare system and support services represent major problems. 4. Thereby, it highlights the importance of incorporating a bio-psychosocial approach to WS that should include not only WS children, but also their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Walkowiak
- Department of Organization and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Lee CY, Shin C, Hwang YS, Oh E, Kim M, Kim HS, Chung SJ, Sung YH, Yoon WT, Cho JW, Lee JH, Kim HJ, Chang HJ, Jeon B, Woo KA, Koh SB, Kwon KY, Moon J, Kim YE, Lee JY. Caregiver Burden of Patients With Huntington's Disease in South Korea. J Mov Disord 2024; 17:30-37. [PMID: 37691330 PMCID: PMC10846961 DOI: 10.14802/jmd.23134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This is the first prospective cohort study of Huntington's disease (HD) in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the caregiver burden in relation to the characteristics of patients and caregivers. METHODS From August 2020 to February 2022, we enrolled patients with HD from 13 university hospitals in Korea. We used the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12) to evaluate the caregiver burden. We evaluated the clinical associations of the ZBI-12 scores by linear regression analysis and investigated the differences between the low- and high-burden groups. RESULTS Sixty-five patients with HD and 45 caregivers were enrolled in this cohort study. The average age at onset of motor symptoms was 49.3 ± 12.3 years, with an average cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG)n of 42.9 ± 4.0 (38-65). The median ZBI-12 score among our caregivers was 17.6 ± 14.2. A higher caregiver burden was associated with a more severe Shoulson-Fahn stage (p = 0.038) of the patients. A higher ZBI-12 score was also associated with lower independence scale (B = -0.154, p = 0.006) and functional capacity (B = -1.082, p = 0.002) scores of patients. The caregiving duration was longer in the high- than in the low-burden group. Caregivers' demographics, blood relation, and marital and social status did not affect the burden significantly. CONCLUSION HD patients' neurological status exerts an enormous impact on the caregiver burden regardless of the demographic or social status of the caregiver. This study emphasizes the need to establish an optimal support system for families dealing with HD in Korea. A future longitudinal analysis could help us understand how disease progression aggravates the caregiver burden throughout the entire disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Young Lee
- Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chaewon Shin
- Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Sejong, Korea
| | - Yun Su Hwang
- Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Eungseok Oh
- Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Manho Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Sook Kim
- Department of Neurology, Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Sun Ju Chung
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Hee Sung
- Department of Neurology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Won Tae Yoon
- Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Whan Cho
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Hyeok Lee
- Department of Neurology, Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Han-Joon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Jin Chang
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Beomseok Jeon
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Ah Woo
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seong-Beom Koh
- Department of Neurology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyum-Yil Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jangsup Moon
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Eun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea
| | - Jee-Young Lee
- Department of Neurology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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