Burden of COPD among Family Caregivers.

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

article

Kim, Jeong Hwa¹  Kim, Eun Kyung²  Park, Sun Hyung²  Lee, Kyung Ae²  Hwang, Yong Il³  Kim, Eun Ji³  Jang, Seung Hun³  Park, Sung Hoon³  Lee, Chang Youl⁴  Lee, Myung Goo⁴  Lee, Ji Yeon⁴  Kim, Dong Gyu³  Jung, Ki Suck³ 

[1] Graduate School of Social Welfare, Ewha Womans University;Department of Social Work, and Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine;Division of Pulmonary, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital;Division of Pulmonary, Department of Internal Medicine, and Hallym University College of Medicine

关键词: Pulmonary Disease;    Chronic Obstructive;    Family Nursing;    Cost of Illness;   

DOI  :  10.4046/trd.2010.69.6.434

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

【 摘 要 】

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem resulting in significant burden for patients and families. However, family caregivers' burden has not been well recognized. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of caregivers' burden and to explore the related factors based on family, patient, and social support factors. METHODS: A face-to-face interview with 86 family caregivers who had been taking care of COPD patients was conducted. The participants answered a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included the level of family caregivers' burden, health status and the relationship within the family, functional limitation of patients perceived by family caregivers and the social support. RESULTS: The level of caregivers' burden among participants was considerably high. Risk factors for caregivers' burden included low educational level of family caregivers, low family income, hours of caregiving, and functional limitation of the patients. Protective factors for caregivers' burden were good relationship within the family and support from other family members or friends. CONCLUSION: It is proved that family caregivers are facing significant burden in taking care of COPD patients. To reduce family caregivers' burden, it is necessary to address socioeconomic status of the family and to provide various community resources including financial support and nursing services.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC