Coping strategies used by caregivers of patients receiving haemodialysis in a private health clinic in Mpumalanga

Abstract

Caregiver burden results from providing care to the haemodialysis patient. However, the multi-disciplinary team often overlooks this issue. The purpose of this study was to explore the coping strategies used by caregivers of patients receiving haemodialysis and make recommendations to avert or mitigate this burden for the caregiver. Quantitative, non-experimental, simple descriptive research was conducted to determine what coping strategies were used by caregivers of patients receiving haemodialysis in a selected private health clinic in Mpumalanga between February 2019 and May 2019. Data collection was done using the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale (FCOPES) questionnaire. The caregiver participants (n=128) completed the questionnaire, which consist of five subscales with 30 questions. Findings revealed the subscale that scored the highest mean score was reframing (m=4.01), confirming that positively redefining caregiver problems was the primary significant coping strategy for caregiver adaptation and unity. Renal nurses need to encourage the caregiver to observe the difficulties in a positive way. Seeking spiritual support (m=3.90) followed next. A spiritual or motivational individual needs to be available to support caregivers spiritually. Mobilising family to acquire and accept help (m=3.62) was in the middle, indicating that professional support groups continue to play a significant role. The lowest scoring subscales were passive appraisal (m=3.48) and seeking social support (m=3.45). A library with leisure books and magazines will assist passively, but supportive groups will help the caregivers socially. Renal nurses have a responsibility to recognise when caregivers are in need of support before it became a burden. Caregiver assessment and intervention should be individualised.