Family Caregivers' Experiences of Caring for Patients with COVID-19: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers of patients with COVID-19 face many challenges that affect their physical and mental health. Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the family caregivers' experiences of caring for patients with COVID-19. Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study was performed based on 13 family caregivers who had experience in home caring for patients with COVID-19. Data were collected through purposive sampling with in-depth semi-structured interviews. The Colaizzi's 7-step method was used to determine themes. The MAXQDA10 software was used to manage qualitative data analysis.Results: Five themes of (a) “nature of the disease” with 2 subcategories, including “fluctuating symptoms” and “emergent and unpredictable disease;” (b) “unmet needs” with 3 subcategories, including “lack of knowledge,” “lack of health facilities,” and” financial problems;” (c) “unpleasant physical, psychological, and social experiences” with 3 subcategories, including “unpleasant physical experiences,” “unpleasant psychological experiences,” and “unpleasant social experiences;” (d) “care facilitators” with 3 subcategories, including “social support,” “adaptive mechanisms,” and “intrinsic motivations;” and (e) “positive experiences” with 3 subcategories, including “promoting spirituality,” “improving relationships,” and “growth” were extracted.Conclusion: Information and financial support for COVID-19 should be provided to family caregivers. Also, community members should embrace patients and family caregivers and reinforce the positive experiences of caregivers.

Death anxiety and its predictors among the companions of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019

“…The results of a study showed that DA had significant negative relationship with quality of life among the caregivers of patients with cancer (14). Another study reported that most caregivers of patients with COVID-19 had anxiety (15). Similarly, two studies during the COVID-19 pandemic reported the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among the caregivers of patients with cerebral paralysis (16) and the caregivers of hospitalized children with COVID-19 (17).…”