Family caregiver learning—how family caregivers learn to provide care at the end of life:  A qualitative secondary analysis of four datasets. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stajduhar, Kelli I; Funk, Laura; Outcalt, Linda
• Is Part Of: Palliative medicine. Volume 27:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 657
• Page End: 664
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: Family caregiving -- palliative care -- qualitative secondary analysis -- home care -- education; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Palliative Care -- Periodicals; Palliatieve behandeling; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1177/0269216313487765
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-2163

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers are assuming growing responsibilities in providing care to dying family members. Supporting them is fundamental to ensure quality end-of-life care and to buffer potentially negative outcomes, although family caregivers frequently acknowledge a deficiency of information, knowledge, and skills necessary to assume the tasks involved in this care. Aim: The aim of this inquiry was to explore how family caregivers describe learning to provide care to palliative patients. Design: Secondary analysis of data from four qualitative studies ( n = 156) with family caregivers of dying people. Data sources: Data included qualitative interviews with 156 family caregivers of dying people. Results: Family caregivers learn through the following processes: trial and error, actively seeking needed information and guidance, applying knowledge and skills from previous experience, and reflecting on their current experiences. Caregivers generally preferred and appreciated a supported or guided learning process that involved being shown or told by others, usually learning reactively after a crisis. Conclusions: Findings inform areas for future research to identify effective, individualized programs and interventions to support positive learning experiences for family caregivers of dying people.