Homecare skills and overburden of caregivers of hospitalized chronic patients / Competência de cuidado e sobrecarga do cuidador da pessoa com doença crônica hospitalizada / Competencia del cuidar y sobrecarga del cuidador de la persona con enfermedad crónica hospitalizada

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe care competence and its association with overburden of caregivers of patients with chronic diseases. Method: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample. Three instruments were used for data collection the GCPC-UN instrument for caregiver-patient characterization, the Homecare Skills Questionnaire (CUIDAR, as per its name in Spanish), and the Zarit Burden Interview. Participants in this study were 102 caregivers of people hospitalized in a health institution who met the inclusion criteria. Results: Caregivers were mainly women, had a low level of education, high burden (56.8%), and high level of care competence (68.6%). A statistically significant correlation was found between overburden and overall scores on the CUIDAR instrument, as well as with the following categories knowledge, uniqueness and anticipation. Conclusion: Homecare competence is associated with overburden of caregivers of people with CNCDs. Therefore, nursing teams have to identify the needs of caregivers and take action so as to contribute to seamless transitions to patients' homes.