Caregiver burden and bereavement among family caregivers who lost terminally ill cancer patients

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveFamily caregivers (FCs) in China provide hospice care to terminally ill cancer patients; however, few studies have been conducted in China on caregiver burden and bereavement experiences as a process that continues over time. The purpose of this study was to identify the main elements of caring and bereavement experiences for FCs caring for patients diagnosed with terminal cancer.MethodTwenty in-depth qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with FCs providing care in a hospice unit in Shenzhen, Southern China. Interview transcripts were analyzed via thematic content analysis.ResultA framework based on the following eight principal themes was developed through content analysis of our FC interviews: symptoms of the illness, the truth-telling process, attitudes toward death, the “color” of death, social and professional support, the moment of death, and grief and loss.Significance of resultsThe analysis showed that caregiving may positively or negatively influence the bereavement process.