Experiences of family caregivers of individuals undergoing hemodialysis in Iran about caring during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Hejazi, Sima and Manzour, Rezvaneh and Shahsavari, Arezoo and Ghasemi, Saeed and Roshan-Nejad, Mahdieh (2024) Experiences of family caregivers of individuals undergoing hemodialysis in Iran about caring during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. BMC Nephrol.

[img] Text
34c.pdf

Download (1MB)

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected various aspects of public health. The virus poses a particular threat to individuals with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis and their caregivers. The present study investigated the experience of family caregivers of individuals undergoing hemodialysis about caring during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with 17 family caregivers of individuals undergoing hemodialysis in Bojnurd, Iran using inductive qualitative content analysis. The participants were selected using convenience and purposive sampling method with maximum variation. Semi-structured interviews were used in data collection based on the interview guide. The data were analyzed with MAXQDA10. Results: The results culminated in the identification of a main category of the COVID-19 care burden on caregivers and two generic categories including the COVID-19 Overt (financial/constraining) care burden (subcategories: Non-adherence to Health Protocols, COVID-19 Financial Costs, COVID-19 Restrictions and Hemodialysis Appointments, and Decreased Caregiver Support during the COVID-19 Era), and the COVID-19 Covert (emotional/psychological) Care Burden (subcategories: Caregiver's Loneliness in the Care, Stress of Contracting COVID-19, Psychological Consequences of individuals undergoing hemodialysis Staying at Home, The burden of other Individuals' Expectations of the Caregiver, and Physical and emotional pressure on the Caregiver). Conclusion: Caregivers during the COVID-19 period have experienced both overt and covert care burden. The results of this study can contribute to understanding the experiences of caregivers of individuals with chronic diseases such as kidney failure, in critical conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic, by healthcare teams and devising strategies and programs to support them.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Medicine
Depositing User: lorestan university
Date Deposited: 07 Sep 2024 07:14
Last Modified: 07 Sep 2024 07:14
URI: http://eprints.lums.ac.ir/id/eprint/4854

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item