The experience and feelings of family caregivers of children with chronic connective tissue disease:A qualitative research / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the feeling of family caregiver of children with chronic connective tissue disease (CTD).Methods A semi-structured interview was conducted with 30 family caregivers of children with CTD.Data were analyzed based on Colaizzi's phenomenological research method.Results The family caregiver's feelings were classified into four themes,including heavy psychological burden,diseases affecting family life,uncertainty in illness,demands for social support.Conclusions We should neglect the burden and related problems of caregivers when paying attentions to health problems of children,and supply effective intervention measures in order to increase the health level of children and their caregivers.