Volume : 6, Issue : 8, August - 2017

A study of the Burden on caregivers of ventilator-dependent patients

Dr. Imran Shivji, Dr. Pranay Gandhi

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;</p> <h1 style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&#10;&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;font-weight:&#10;normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">The present study investigated the burden on caregivers of PMV patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the caregivers of PMV patients who were admitted to a chronic respiratory care ward (RCW) or were receiving home care from June to December 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&#10;&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;font-weight:&#10;normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">A total of 160 caregivers (age, 50&ndash;53 years) were recruited (n = 80 each in the home care and RCW groups), and most of these caregivers were married women. Due to insufficient sleep, physical exhaustion, back pain, and caregiving, home caregivers had significantly higher physical burden levels than RCW caregivers (P &lt; .01).<o:p></o:p></span></h1> <h1 style="margin: 12pt 0in 6pt; text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&#10;&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;font-weight:&#10;normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Home caregivers experienced higher physical burden levels than RCW caregivers. Therefore, clinical and professional support must be provided to home caregivers of PMV patients.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>