Gender-specific problems and needs of family caregivers during specialist inpatient palliative care: a qualitative study on experiences of family caregivers and healthcare professionals

TY - JOUR

T1 - Gender-specific problems and needs of family caregivers during specialist inpatient palliative care: a qualitative study on experiences of family caregivers and healthcare professionals

AU - Ullrich, Anneke

AU - Eicken, Sophia

AU - Coym, Anja

AU - Hlawatsch, Cornelia

AU - Bokemeyer, Carsten

AU - Oechsle, Karin

PY - 2021/8

Y1 - 2021/8

N2 - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated gender-specific impacts on symptoms and problems of patients receiving palliative care; however, there is limited knowledge about the impact of gender on the problems and needs of their family caregivers (FCs).METHODS: Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews with FCs and healthcare professionals (HCPs) of a specialist palliative care inpatient ward were conducted. Themes and categories were identified using qualitative content analysis, with data coded using MAXQDA.RESULTS: Ten FCs (6 female, 4 male) and 16 HCPs (8 female, 8 male) were interviewed. Analysis revealed seven main categories of gendered problems and needs: role as FC, physical and emotional burden, self-care and coping strategies, adaptation to new life circumstances, interaction with the palliative care team, use of psychosocial or care-related support, as well as advance care planning and caregiving after inpatient palliative care. Stronger identification with the caregiver role, less consideration of own needs, and more active utilization of professional and informal support were ascribed to female FCs. With regard to male FCs, respondents had the impression of better self-caring strategies, less expressiveness of emotions, less involvement in care and more target-oriented interactions with the palliative care team.CONCLUSIONS: Gender has a relevant impact on roles, coping, communication and support as well as psychosocial needs of FCs of patients receiving palliative care. These gender-related aspects have to be taken into account during palliative care including care for FCs.

AB - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated gender-specific impacts on symptoms and problems of patients receiving palliative care; however, there is limited knowledge about the impact of gender on the problems and needs of their family caregivers (FCs).METHODS: Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews with FCs and healthcare professionals (HCPs) of a specialist palliative care inpatient ward were conducted. Themes and categories were identified using qualitative content analysis, with data coded using MAXQDA.RESULTS: Ten FCs (6 female, 4 male) and 16 HCPs (8 female, 8 male) were interviewed. Analysis revealed seven main categories of gendered problems and needs: role as FC, physical and emotional burden, self-care and coping strategies, adaptation to new life circumstances, interaction with the palliative care team, use of psychosocial or care-related support, as well as advance care planning and caregiving after inpatient palliative care. Stronger identification with the caregiver role, less consideration of own needs, and more active utilization of professional and informal support were ascribed to female FCs. With regard to male FCs, respondents had the impression of better self-caring strategies, less expressiveness of emotions, less involvement in care and more target-oriented interactions with the palliative care team.CONCLUSIONS: Gender has a relevant impact on roles, coping, communication and support as well as psychosocial needs of FCs of patients receiving palliative care. These gender-related aspects have to be taken into account during palliative care including care for FCs.

KW - Caregivers

KW - Delivery of Health Care

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Inpatients

KW - Male

KW - Palliative Care

KW - Qualitative Research

U2 - 10.21037/apm-20-2553

DO - 10.21037/apm-20-2553

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 34412499

VL - 10

SP - 8571

EP - 8583

JO - ANN PALLIAT MED

JF - ANN PALLIAT MED

SN - 2224-5820

IS - 8

ER -