Expectations and Self-Care of Family Members in Palliative Care. The Analysis of Needs and Workshop Plan

Abstract

The practice has shown that it is the most emotional and difficult situation when family members care for their beloved ones, who suffer from cancer, all the time and without rest.During care of their ill family members they have not only different emotional reactions, but they have special needs in the field of care and support as well. The purpose of this study was to analyze and describe family members’ needs and expectations during the process of care, and according to the analysis, to create a training course for family members who look after relatives with cancer. The study involved both qualitative descriptive methods based on face-to-face interview focused on self-care, needs, problems and support to family members as well as expectations addressed at hospice staff. Ten family members of patients who were under palliative care (hospitalized in palliative care in-patient department) were asked to give interviews in the field of their expectations, needs and difficulties as caregivers while caring about their beloved ones with cancer. The results have shown, that among caregivers, 90% reported the need for self-care in the field: being listened to, information, ability to deal with stress, communications skills. Only one person did not think about her/himself while looking after their beloved ones suffering from cancer. All of the 90% family members needed: information about the clinical situation of their beloved ones with cancer, conversations about their experience while caring, and information on what they can do better for their relatives. Overall, caregivers preferred to receive knowledge and information about diet, physical and emotional self-care, communication with relatives about their illness, dying and death. According to that, the curriculum of workshops for family members was created including the course of communication, basic information about the illness and opportunities of care in terms of both physical and emotional health, interpersonal relations, and increasing the feeling of security as well. Conclusion of this study is that caregivers have their own needs and expectations while caring for their family members with cancer. The formal education for the family in the form of workshop may help them in both: caring for the patient and for themselves.