Family Caregivers: Nurses’ Perception and Attitudes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Care of dependent people is an increasingly worrying matter in our society. Informal care is that given to the person in need unselfishly and generously, especially by closely related people. In Spain prevails a model of care where family support is essential although the trend is moving toward a mixed model of care (professional services and family support). AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To find out the social representation and perception nurses have about informal caregivers of dependent people, identifying all dimensions: information, image and attitudes. DESIGN: Qualitative research with discussion groups. METHODS: Nursing professionals from different care fields participated in discussion groups. Data were analyzed using discourse analysis methodology. RESULTS: Nursing professionals have empiric knowledge about the role of informal care, and they are aware of how hard this task is and that caregivers’ psycho-physical health can be adversely affected. Nurses are in favour of family caring, but they also show their concern about caregivers’ isolation and lack of support and resources to face long-term care. The evaluation of a caregivers’ role is usually positive, recognizing their steadiness, dedication, continuity and sacrifice towards the dependent person. Family caregivers need more information and care training. Nurses are willing to help caregivers and conscious of their need to be listened to, psychologically supported and emotionally unburdened. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for a greater awakening of the group of professionals, particularly nurses, to move towards a model in which the caregiver can be considered as a subject in need of care for themselves. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: An integral care model must include attention to the caregiver, but we have found limitations such lack of time, lack of teamwork and preeminence of the biomedical model. Nurses demand specific training to improve their work related to the education and counselling to the caregiver.