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Thi Bui DH, Nguyen BX, Søndergaard J, Gammeltoft TM, Bygbjerg IC, Nielsen J, Meyrowitsch DW. Informal caregiving among people supporting a person with type 2 diabetes in rural communities of Northern Vietnam: A cross-sectional study of caregiver burdens. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304821. [PMID: 38820495 PMCID: PMC11142696 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Vietnam has doubled from 3% to 6% over the last decades, with potential consequences for persons with diabetes and their caregivers. This study aimed to assess caregiver burdens and factors associated with caregiver burden. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019, using data from 1,241 informal caregivers (ICGs). Caregiver burden was scored from 0-32 using 8 questions from the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Quantile regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with caregiver burden. RESULTS The median score of the ZBI was 7.0 (Q1-Q3: 2.0-10.0), indicating that the burden among caregiver of persons with T2DM is not high. Quantile regression showed that the higher the monthly income, the lower the burden among caregivers (50% quantile and 75% quantile of burden: -0.004). Lower educational level (25%Q: 4.0, 50%Q; 3.0, 75%Q: 2.16), being a farmer (25%Q: 2.0) and providing care to other people besides the person with T2DM (25%Q: 2.0, 50%Q; 2.54, 75%Q: 1.66) were associated with higher burden on caregivers. CONCLUSION The study found that caregivers facing additional life stressors, such as low income or other caregiving responsibilities, reported higher levels of burden. These findings could inform the development of interventions targeted at supporting informal caregivers in rural areas in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bai Xuan Nguyen
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- The Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Tine M. Gammeltoft
- Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Ib Christian Bygbjerg
- Department of Public Health, Global Health Section, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Jannie Nielsen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Dan Wolf Meyrowitsch
- Department of Public Health, Global Health Section, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark
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Semere W, Karter AJ, Lyles CR, Reed ME, Karliner L, Kaplan C, Liu JY, Livaudais-Toman J, Schillinger D. Care Partner Engagement in Secure Messaging Between Patients With Diabetes and Their Clinicians: Cohort Study. JMIR Diabetes 2024; 9:e49491. [PMID: 38335020 PMCID: PMC10891488 DOI: 10.2196/49491] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient engagement with secure messaging (SM) via digital patient portals has been associated with improved diabetes outcomes, including increased patient satisfaction and better glycemic control. Yet, disparities in SM uptake exist among older patients and racial and ethnic underserved groups. Care partners (family members or friends) may provide a means for mitigating these disparities; however, it remains unclear whether and to what extent care partners might enhance SM use. OBJECTIVE We aim to examine whether SM use differs among older patients with diabetes based on the involvement of care partner proxies. METHODS This is a substudy of the ECLIPPSE (Employing Computational Linguistics to Improve Patient-Provider Secure Emails) project, a cohort study taking place in a large, fully integrated health care delivery system with an established digital patient portal serving over 4 million patients. Participants included patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥50 years, newly registered on the patient portal, who sent ≥1 English-language message to their clinician between July 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. Proxy SM was identified by having a registered proxy. To identify nonregistered proxies, a computational linguistics algorithm was applied to detect words and phrases more likely to appear in proxy messages compared to patient-authored messages. The primary outcome was the annual volume of secure messages (sent or received); secondary outcomes were the length of time to the first SM sent by patient or proxy and the number of annual SM exchanges (unique message topics generating ≥1 reply). RESULTS The mean age of the cohort (N=7659) at this study's start was 61 (SD 7.16) years; 75% (n=5573) were married, 15% (n=1089) identified as Black, 10% (n=747) Chinese, 12% (n=905) Filipino, 13% (n=999) Latino, and 30% (n=2225) White. Further, 49% (n=3782) of patients used a proxy to some extent. Compared to nonproxy users, proxy users were older (P<.001), had lower educational attainment (P<.001), and had more comorbidities (P<.001). Adjusting for patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, proxy users had greater annual SM volume (20.7, 95% CI 20.2-21.2 vs 10.9, 95% CI 10.7-11.2; P<.001), shorter time to SM initiation (hazard ratio vs nonusers: 1.30, 95% CI 1.24-1.37; P<.001), and more annual SM exchanges (6.0, 95% CI 5.8-6.1 vs 2.9, 95% CI 2.9-3.0, P<.001). Differences in SM engagement by proxy status were similar across patient levels of education, and racial and ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS Among a cohort of older patients with diabetes, proxy SM involvement was independently associated with earlier initiation and increased intensity of messaging, although it did not appear to mitigate existing disparities in SM. These findings suggest care partners can enhance patient-clinician telecommunication in diabetes care. Future studies should examine the effect of care partners' SM involvement on diabetes-related quality of care and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagahta Semere
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Andrew J Karter
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Courtney R Lyles
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mary E Reed
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Leah Karliner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Celia Kaplan
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Y Liu
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Livaudais-Toman
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Dean Schillinger
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Huyen DBT, Thi AN, Kim DVT, Le Minh H, Gammeltoft T, Vestergaard AR. Mobilizing morality: how caregivers in Vietnam handle the challenges of daily diabetes care. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1744. [PMID: 37679694 PMCID: PMC10483762 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16691-8] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a chronic disease, type 2 diabetes (T2D) often involves long-term care obligations for patients' family members. Understanding the socially and culturally specific challenges that family caregivers face and how they cope with them is crucial in developing targeted and effective interventions to support both caregivers and patients with T2D. This research examined family caregiving for people with T2D living in rural northern Vietnam. Although there is a growing literature on family support in Vietnam, little is known about the personal experiences of family caregivers for people with T2D. This paper seeks to fill this gap revealing some of the challenges and coping strategies of family caregivers to people with T2D. METHODS This qualitative study is based on ethnographic research using primarily semi-structured interviews with 21 caregivers to a person with T2D in Vietnam. The research was conducted in 2022 by a Vietnamese-Danish research team. Each interview was voice-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically coded. RESULTS Four major challenges emerged from the analysis: physical health concerns, psychological exhaustion, economic burdens, and lack of support. Caregivers expressed motivation to overcome these challenges as they felt a deep sense of responsibility towards their family member with diabetes. The primary caregiver's sense of responsibility toward their family would often cause them not to share the burdens from caregiving with other family members to avoid burdening them as well. However, negative experiences from caregiving were decreased and positive feelings increased in the instances where caregiving was shared between multiple family members. CONCLUSION While family members expressed motivation to take care of the patient because of moral obligations, some caregivers, specifically primary caregivers, did not want to burden other family members with care tasks and were reluctant to ask for assistance. For families who did share the caregiving tasks among several family members, some of the negative sentiments associated with caregiving were diminished. Having multiple members of a family forming a caregiving community thus motivated people in handling care challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ai Nguyen Thi
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | - Dung Vu Thi Kim
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | - Hieu Le Minh
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | - Tine Gammeltoft
- Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Emmesjö L, Gillsjö C, Dahl Aslan AK, Hallgren J. Patients' and next of kin's expectations and experiences of a mobile integrated care model with a home health care physician - a qualitative thematic study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:921. [PMID: 37644455 PMCID: PMC10466758 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The organizational principle of remaining at home has offset care from the hospital to the home of the older person where care from formal and informal caregivers is needed. Globally, formal care is often organized to handle singular and sporadic health problems, leading to the need for several health care providers. The need for an integrated care model was therefore recognized by health care authorities in one county in Sweden, who created a cross-organisational integrated care model to meet these challenges. The Mobile integrated care model with a home health care physician (MICM) is a collaboration between regional and municipal health care. Descriptions of patients' and next of kin's experiences of integrated care is however lacking, motivating exploration. METHOD A qualitative thematic study. Data collection was done before the patients met the MICM physician, and again six months later. RESULTS The participants expected a sense of relief when admitted to MICM, and hoped for shared responsibility, building a personal contact and continuity but experienced lack of information about what MICM was. At the follow-up interview, participants described having an easier daily life. The increased access to the health care personnel (HCP) allowed participants to let go of responsibility, and created a sense of safety through the personalised contact and continuity. However, some felt ignored and that the personnel teamed up against the patient. The MICM structure was experienced as hierarchical, which influenced the possibility to participate. However, the home visits opened up the possibility for shared decision making. CONCLUSION Participants had an expectation of receiving safe and coherent health care, to share responsibility, personal contact and continuity. After six months, the participants expressed that MICM had provided an easier daily life. The direct access to HCP reduced their responsibility and they had created a personalised contact with the HCP and that the individual HCP mattered to them, which could be perceived as in line with the goals in the shift to local health care. The MICM was experienced as a hierarchic structure with impact on participation, indicating that all dimensions of person-centred care were not fulfilled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Emmesjö
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28, Skövde, Sweden.
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - Catharina Gillsjö
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28, Skövde, Sweden
- College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Anna K Dahl Aslan
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Jenny Hallgren
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28, Skövde, Sweden
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Hellis E, Mukaetova-Ladinska EB. Informal Caregiving and Alzheimer's Disease: The Psychological Effect. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 59:medicina59010048. [PMID: 36676672 PMCID: PMC9863258 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: People with Alzheimer's disease and dementia in general benefit from home-based care as demonstrated via their better quality of life, increased lifespan, and delayed disease progression. Since currently nearly half of the dementia care is being provided by informal and unpaid caregiving, the health, wellbeing and quality of life of informal dementia caregivers is extremely important. Materials and Methods: We used a systematic review process with searches based upon the six elements from the "Quality of Life Scale for Informal Carers of Older Adults" with additional items on traditional and non-traditional caregiving ideologies, as well as caregivers' experiences. Results: We identified 19 studies with primary data. Informal caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's Disease experience significant emotional strain, documented through increased levels of anxiety and depression, as well as increased caregiver burden and poorer quality of life, primarily due to caregiving ideologies, financial strain and a lack of support. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that caregiving should be a normative component of adult education to better prepare individuals with the mental and physical skills required for undertaking informal caregiving. They should also help inform policy makers to develop novel programs and services to both assist and reduce informal caregivers' strain, whilst considering their different social and cultural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Hellis
- School of Psychology and Visual Science, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Elizabeta B. Mukaetova-Ladinska
- School of Psychology and Visual Science, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
- The Evington Centre, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendoline Road, Leicester LE5 4QF, UK
- Correspondence:
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Lee AA, Heisler M, Trivedi R, Leukel P, Mor MK, Rosland AM. Autonomy support from informal health supporters: links with self-care activities, healthcare engagement, metabolic outcomes, and cardiac risk among Veterans with type 2 diabetes. J Behav Med 2021; 44:241-252. [PMID: 33247416 PMCID: PMC8744428 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-020-00196-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the role of autonomy support from adults' informal health supporters (family or friends) in diabetes-specific health behaviors and health outcomes. Using baseline data from 239 Veterans with type 2 diabetes at risk of complications enrolled in behavioral trial, we examined associations between autonomy support from a support person and that support person's co-residence with the participant's diabetes self-care activities, patient activation, cardiometabolic measures, and predicted risk of a cardiac event. Autonomy support from supporters was associated with significantly increased adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors (diet, p < .001 and exercise, p = .003); higher patient activation (p < .001); greater patient efficacy in interacting with healthcare providers, and lower 5-year (p = .044) and 10-year (p = .027) predicted cardiac risk. Autonomy support was not significantly associated with diabetes-specific behaviors (checking blood glucose, foot care, or medication taking); or hemoglobin A1c, systolic blood pressure, or non-HDL cholesterol. There was a significant interaction of autonomy support and supporter residence in one model such that lack of autonomy support was associated with lower patient activation only among individuals with in-home supporters. No other interactions were significant. Findings suggest that autonomy support from family and friends may play a role in patient self-management, patient activation, and lower cardiac risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, 310C Peabody Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA.
| | - Michele Heisler
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ranak Trivedi
- VA Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Division of Population Sciences and Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Patric Leukel
- Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, 310C Peabody Hall, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Maria K Mor
- VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ann-Marie Rosland
- VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Fetherstonhaugh D, Rayner JA, Solly K, McAuliffe L. 'You become their advocate': The experiences of family carers as advocates for older people with dementia living in residential aged care. J Clin Nurs 2021; 30:676-686. [PMID: 33295051 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to identify features of well-performing residential aged care services (RACS) as experienced by family carers. BACKGROUND Family carers can have an integral role in residential aged care providing social support and are well-placed to engage with staff and monitor care. DESIGN A qualitative descriptive design was used. Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with family carers of current or past residents of Australian RACS between November 2018 and January 2019. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. RESULTS Rather than reporting features of well-performing RACS, participants shared stories of sub-standard care, dysfunctional management and poor resident-staff-family interactions. An overarching theme emerged of 'having to be an advocate' for residents' needs, which covered four major categories: organisational accountability (including transparency and individualised care), good communication, connection and trust. Combined, these constitute what carers perceive are the necessary conditions for determining the features of a well-performing RACS. CONCLUSION Family carers need to feel confident and trust RACS staff when they hand over the role of carer for their relative with dementia. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study provides insight into the needs and challenges of family carers when they relinquish the care of an older relative with dementia. Strategies to build confidence and trust between RACS and family carers are essential. Aged care nurses can play a pivotal role to support this through the development of open communication and relational connections with residents and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh
- Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jo-Anne Rayner
- Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Kane Solly
- Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Linda McAuliffe
- Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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