Difficulties Faced by Family Caregivers for Terminal Cancer Patient Cessation of Home-based

ABSTRACT

<p>The aims of this study were to clarify difficulties experienced by families facing the cessation of home-based care for terminal cancer patients, and to review the associated necessary nursing practices. We conducted semi-structured interviews with ten families. A qualitative research design was selected for this study, and the data was interpreted using content analysis techniques. The results were integrated into seven major categories “unable to assess present symptoms for lack of understanding terminal cancer symptoms,” “feeling emotional pain during the patient’s aggravated condition,” “difficulties in coping with various patients’ physical symptoms problems regarding inexperienced care,” “exhausted by living 24 hours a day with patient lack of support, because of constraints from important people in the caregiver’s life,” and “difficulties faced by primary family caregivers in preparing a treatment environment.” Family caregivers were not able to prepare a treatment environment, because of a lack of understanding the symptoms of terminal cancer and an unwillingness to admit experiencing mental and physical burdens. The findings of this study suggested that the role of a nurse is to understand the family’s condition and values, provide required information in advance, and to adjust and prepare the treatment environment.</p>