Qualitative Study of Primary Caregiver Load Experience in Colorectal Stoma Patients / 中国医学伦理学

ABSTRACT

To deeply explore the load experience of primary caregivers of colorectal stoma patients, analyze their psychological load, understand their load experience when caring for patients, so as to provide theoretical basis for promoting patients’ home rehabilitation and continuous nursing. A semi-structured interview was conducted with the primary caregivers of 10 patients with permanent stoma in a tertiary hospital in Xi’an using a phenomenological research method, and the data were summarized and refined by Colaizzi 7-step analysis. A total of four themes were extracted complex emotional reactions, lack of knowledge about stoma care, a huge care load on the shoulder, and social and financial support needed. The primary caregivers of colorectal stoma patients have a certain degree of care load in the daily care of the patients. Health care professionals should pay attention to the psycho-emotional changes of these individuals and take targeted interventions to reduce the psychological load of the caregivers and improve the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers.