The primary caregiver of the palliative care patient – the hidden patient of the family physician
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Palliative care aims at improving the quality of life for patients and their families who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. In Romania, most patients requiring palliative care are looked after at home by a primary caregiver, typically an unpaid family member. This study examined the impact of caregiving on primary caregivers, involving 140 patient-caregiver pairs, with oncological and non-oncological conditions. The findings indicate that primary caregivers of non-oncological patients experience significantly greater physical and emotional burdens compared to caregivers of cancer patients. Over half of caregivers exhibited moderate to severe anxiety, and depression was identified in approximately half of them. Caregiver burden and associated emotional disorders are influenced by the severity of the patient’s condition and the duration from diagnosis to the initiation of palliative care. Early identification of these challenges allows for timely medical interventions aimed at preserving the health and quality of life of primary caregivers.
Source: Medic ro
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4412781844