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ABSTRACT
Background/Objective: Informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer experience a challenging time, especially while caring for the patient at home. The aim of this study is to compare experiences, perceived burdens, and needs during home care of informal caregivers of brain tumor patients and informal caregivers of non-brain tumor patients.
Methods: 28 informal caregivers (17 brain tumor group, 11 non-brain tumor group) participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information retrospectively. Data was analyzed using principles of thematic analysis method.
Results: The results support existing evidence that the themes assessment of the situation, dealing with the situation, effects of the situation, and support by others are of importance to all informal caregivers. Caregivers in the brain tumor group put more emphasis on information and perception of the situation by others than caregivers in the non-brain tumor group.
Conclusion: The emerging need for information of caregivers and the effects for caregivers of changes in the perception of the situation by others should be addressed to better support informal caregivers of brain tumor patients.
Disclosures and acknowledgements
We gratefully thank:
| • | All informal caregivers for their participation. | ||||
| • | Departments of Surgery (Prof. W. Hohenberger), Otorhinolaryngology (Prof. H. Iro), Gynecology (Prof. M.W. Beckmann), Gastroenterology, Pneumology, and Endocrinology (Prof. M Neurath), Neurosurgery (Prof. M. Buchfelder), Neurology (Prof. S. Schwab) | ||||
| • | R. Grolik of the Department of Medical Information and Communication (MIK) and S. Schick of the Tumorzentrum Erlangen for organizational support. | ||||
| • | E. Gräßel and K. Luttenberger from the Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Erlangen for their help on the use of the BSFC in this study. | ||||
Conflicting interests
The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.