Objective The aim of this study was to explore the burden of care for patients undergoing hemodialysis from the experiences of family caregivers. Methods In this qualitative study, a content analysis approach was used for data collection and analysis. Participants were 16 family caregivers selected through purposive sampling from four medical education centers affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were held to collect data. Results Four categories were developed as follows: ‘care challenges’, ‘ psychological vulnerabilities’, ‘the chronic nature of care ’and “care in the shade”. The categories led to the development of the main theme of ‘progressive exhaustion’ experienced by the family caregivers during the provision of care to patients undergoing hemodialysis. Conclusion Family caregivers have a significant role in the process of patient care, and this role leads them to progressive exhaustion; therefore, the overall health of the caregivers should be taken into account and more attention should be paid to their quality of life, social welfare, and satisfaction level.

This study demonstrates that coping strategies stemming from the cultural beliefs of caregivers are very salient in their commitment to care; thus, the health-care team, especially nurses, should encourage family caregivers to use these strategies to maintain their physical and psychological health and to provide quality care for patients.

BackgroundQuality of life in patients affected with chronic diseases has developed into a therapeutic objective as the best tool to evaluate response to treatment and medical care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life and its related factors in tuberculosis patients receiving directly observed treatment short-course in Iran.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional research with a descriptive-analytic design. Sample size included 71 patients affected with tuberculosis based on census method; so that, at the time of the study, all the tuberculosis patients were recruited in this research. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprised of two parts including demographic characteristics information and standard 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The data were also analyzed using SPSS Statistics along with descriptive and analytic statistics and independent t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Chi-square test.ResultsThe lowest mean score was 63.58 ± 10.16 and 62.82 ± 15.2 related to limited physical activity following mental problems and social functioning, respectively. Furthermore, the findings of the independent t-test demonstrated that the mean scores of quality of life among men and women, those with pulmonic and non-pulmonic tuberculosis, patient's place of residence and the stage of treatment were statistically and significantly different.ConclusionAccording to the above results, tuberculosis and its treatment have impact on the social function, mental, and emotional aspects of the quality of life of patients, Attention to and monitoring of the quality of life as a follow up of the treatment and care intervention in these patients is necessary.

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Background: The high dependence of hemodialysis patients on home caregivers is a great source of care burden for them; therefore, accountability with appropriate communication as well as appropriate behavior and attention to needs of caregiver by health care team is a serious impact on care burden. Methods: A content analysis approach was used for data collection and analysis. The participants included16 family caregivers selected through purposive sampling from 4 medical education centers affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were held to collect data. Results: Data analysis led to the emergence of 3 themes including "responsive treatment team" "negative influences of the treatment team," and "collaborative care," which were all incorporated into the main theme of "an effective treatment team". Conclusions: The treatment team can play an effective role in improving the caregivers' well-being by appropriate treatment, accountability, and responsiveness to the needs of patients and their caregivers; meanwhile, it provides a better position for better care, however, it will reduce the care burden.