EXPLORING CHALLENGES OF HOME CAREGIVERS FOR ATTENDING HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS AT HOME: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a serious and expanding health problem with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. According to high quality studies, highest CKD prevalence in Pakistan was reported as 29.9% and the lowest prevalence was 12.5%. The family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically experience higher burden than the general population because of the nature of tasks these caregivers need to carry out as a part of homecare. This fact influences both the caregivers’ quality of life and the quality of their scare toward the patient. Objectives: To explore the challenges of caregivers for attending hemodialysis patients at home Method: This study investigated the difficulties faced by home caregivers of hemodialysis patients using a qualitative descriptive research style. Caregivers who had personal experience taking care of their family members were chosen by the researcher. In order to obtain data, twelve primary caregivers were interviewed. These interviews were carried out by the researcher in order to extract detailed information from the subjects. The researcher then wrote out a transcription of every interview. After the data had been transcribed, the researcher evaluated it by hand. Five main themes emerged from the application of thematic analysis to the data. In order to discern different themes and sub-themes arising from the interviews, the researcher employed thematic analysis. Results: To determine the findings themes were generated. The researcher identified five broad themes, as physical and biological day-to-day challenges; lack of knowledge and information; emotional and psychological difficulties; impact on family dynamics and financial difficulties faced by study participants who were caring for hemodialysis patients. These themes were further divided in various subthemes such as Compulsive Care Compliance, Conflicts between Leisure Time and Caregiving, Care Fatigue, Lifestyle Change, Inadequate medication management knowledge, Lack of knowledge about the complexities, Seeking Information and Education, Initial Shock and Uncertainty, Feelings of being overwhelmed, Feeling of distress and anxiety, Worries about effects on family and Medical Expenses, Treatment Costs and job disturbance Conclusion: This research is inquired an overall experience and challenges faced by caregivers who were taking care of their CKD patients.