2022 Volume 36 Article ID: 36_1_honda
Purpose: Many people with a cancer-induced limited life expectancy choose to spend the remainder of their lives at home. Despite this, home mortality only accounts for about 10% of deaths among cancer patients. One factor is the burden on caregivers who must balance childcare and work. Thus, this study seeks to clarify the process by which primary caregivers take care of end-of-life cancer patients at home while also balancing work or childcare, as well as to examine nursing support.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 consenting primary caregivers who took care of cancer patients at home while working or caring for children. Given the focus of the analysis, three people were excluded; the remaining 12 participants were eligible for data collection. The participants’ data were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively using a modified grounded theory approach.
Results: The process began when the subject decided to provide end-of-life care at home and nurse the patient while maintaining the same lifestyle as before. Although this decision faltered when the patient's condition deteriorated, the caregiver reaffirmed their decision and continued to care for the patient at home because of the appearance and the thoughts of the patient.
Discussion: In terms of nursing support, when the patient’s condition is stable (with little need for nursing care), it is necessary to prepare via an explanation of the prognosis and the condition of the patient, or by adjusting work or childcare after deterioration of the patient's condition. Furthermore, in response to the spiritual conflict—between distress due to balancing work/childcare and nursing care and a renewed commitment following the deterioration of the patient’s condition—there is a need to display an attitude that is accepting of the patient’s state of mind and to identify their underlying needs.
