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Volume 3
Current Research: Integrative Medicine
Chronic Diseases 2018
July 16-17, 2018
Chronic Diseases
July 16-17, 2018 Berlin, Germany
2
nd
International Conference on
Curr Res Integr Med 2018, Volume 3
DOI: 10.4172/2529-797X-C1-003
Progressive exhaustion, experiences of Iranian family caregivers of the patients undergoing hemodialysis:
A qualitative study
Kourosh Zarea
1
, Shahriar Salehitali
2
and Fazlolla Ahmadi
3
1
Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran
2
Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran
3
Tarbiat Modares University, Iran
Background:
Although family caregivers of patients undergoing hemodialysis may experience a considerable burden of care, fewer
studies have been carried out on exploring family caregivers’ reasons for bearing such a burden, the strategies pursued by them and
the quality of the imposed burden of care based on their experiences.
Aim:
The main aim of the current study was to discover and describe the burden of care experienced by family caregivers for the
patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Design:
This study used the qualitative research design approach.
Methods:
A content analysis approach was used for data collection and analysis. 15 family caregivers were selected through purposive
sampling from 4 medical training centers in the south of Iran. Semi-structured interviews were applied to collect information.
Results:
The data analysis resulted in three main themes including care challenges, chronic nature of care and victim of situation,
which all consist of related subcategories. The whole of these themes are included in the main category of progressive exhaustion
which is experienced by the family caregivers during the care of patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Conclusion:
Due to the significant and effective role of caregivers in the patients’ care process, the overall health of caregivers should
be taken into account; thus, more attention should be paid to their health and the burden of care experienced by them should be
monitored to improve their quality of life, social welfare and level of satisfaction.
kourosh1685@gmail.com