ABSTRACT
Background: Family caregivers are considered as hidden patients experiencing physical and mental disorders. This affects the quality of not only their lives but also the health care provided to patients. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life [QOL] and its related factors among the caregivers of patients undergoing hemodialysis
Methods: This systematic review was conducted based on the eight-step guidelines presented by the York University. The databases relevant to the medical field including Nursing and Allied Health, Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO and Psychology Library were used. Finally, 12 articles observing the inclusion criteria and with regard to the research questions were found. The data obtained from these articles were summarized, classified, and analyzed
Results: QOL among Family Caregivers of Patients on Hemodialysis is low, compared to the general population; however, their QOL is higher than the patients under their care. Factors relevant to the QOL for caregivers including age, gender, perceived social support, perceived burden of care, affliction with other diseases [lupus, hypertension, hypothyroidism and depression], intellectual understanding of the limitations of the patient's disease in their daily life, employment of adaptation strategies, better marital relationships, accepting self and family relationship with the patient [mother and wife]. Furthermore, the factors associated with care takers affecting the quality of caregivers' lives were age, QOL and the type of treatment
Conclusions: Caregivers of patients undergoing hemodialysis enjoyed low QOL. Since there is a direct relationship between family caregivers' quality and patients' QOL, health care system and health policy makers should pay more attention to family caregivers
ABSTRACT
The Roy's adaptation model is a helpful instrument to be used in treatment processes of patients with chronic diseases. According to chronic nature of amputee veterans' diseases, it is expected that the implementation of care plans based on this model can increase adaptation in the patients. The present study was performed to design and determine validity and reliability of a researcher-designed adaptation questionnaire based on the Roy's adaptation model on war veterans with lower limb amputation. This study was conducted among war veterans referred to the veteran clinic of Orthotics and Prosthetics center using convenience sampling method during 2012-2014. Main concepts of adaptation defined based on the Roy's adaptation model were used to provide items. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using the content validity index [CVI], content validity ratio [CVR], face validity, internal consistency [Cronbach's alpha], and stability [test-retest reliability] tests. Thirty five items were developed including 15 items on physiological area, 11 items on self-concept area, four items on dependence/ independence area, and five items on role playing area. The CVI was 0.95. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.78. The correlation coefficient values were more than 0.7 in each area. The psychometric analysis of the questionnaire showed proper validity and reliability for measuring adaptation on war veterans with lower limb amputation. The questionnaire is recommended to be used in nursing practice
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, it has been found that the mental state of caregivers may have a noticeable effect on both patient and caregivers health. This study was conducted to determine the burnout and general health status of the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation nurses in Tehran, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, burnout and general health status of 65 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation nurses in Tehran were examined. Each subject filled out two questionnaires in 2010: The General Health Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory as well as demographic information. The data were gathered after obtaining the participants' agreement to take part in the study. The majority [67.7%] of the nurses had scores lower than the cut off score of the General Health Questionnaire-28. The majority of the nurses were in the low level in terms of emotional exhaustion [50.8%], depersonalization [66.2%], and personal accomplishment [58.5%]. The general health status score of the nurses was positively related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores. However, there was an inverse relationship between health status and personal accomplishment scores. The result of the current study did not have a significant agreement with the general view indicating that working in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation units leads to an increase in burnout levels. Hence, the majority of nurses were in low levels in terms of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and in good condition in terms of general health status; there is a need for conducting further studies in order to find out the reason behind these differences