Psychosocial functioning of caregivers of patients on home mechanical ventilation

Introduction. Home ventilatory assistance is becoming an increasingly widespread method of treatment in patients with chronic respiratory
insufficiency. The universality of this method, mainly in European countries, results from the development of technologies allowing the use
of ventilation in home setting, expanding the indications for treatment, reduced costs of care, progress in the organization of patient care,
increased patient satisfaction with care in their communities, and the families interest in caring for the sick at home.

Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to identify the psychosocial functioning of the caregivers of patients receiving assisted ventilation
at home.

Material and methods. The study group included 25 caregivers of patients ventilated in home environment in the Malopolska voivodship,
which includes 41% of all ventilated patients in the region. The following instruments were used for data collection: the Coping Inventory for
Stressful Situations; the Social Support Scale questionnaire, and the original questionnaire developed by the authors. Statistical analysis of
results was carried out with the correlation matrix and the Mann-Whitney U-test accepting the significance level of p < 0,05.

Results. Patient care at home was the cause of disturbances in psychosocial functioning of carers. Most of the caregivers are not gainfully
employed, resulting in family financial problems. Disturbances in social functioning resulted from lack of time, the inability to leave the
patient under the care of another person, workplace problems, and reduced social network contacts. Caregivers primarily received information
support from nurses, doctors and the family. The subjects mainly presented the task-focused style of coping with difficult situations.
Statistical analysis indicated that the caregivers style of coping was related to the subjects age, gender and professional activity.

Conclusions. Organization of care of patients ventilated at home settings should take into account the needs of carers and provide assistance
in resolving their difficult situations.

Nursing Topics 2011; 19 (2): 185–193