Model of support for family caregivers of traumatic brain injury patients following discharges from hospital rehabilitation in the OR Tambo District Municipality of the Eastern Cape

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and challenges of family caregivers of traumatic brain injury patients in the rural communities of the OR Tambo District Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa in order to formulate a model for their support. The qualitative research design was utilized to explore and describe the experiences and challenges of family caregivers. Hospital records were used to get the prospective population. The research population consisted of family caregivers of patients who had survived traumatic brain injury within a period of eighteen months to three years before the study commenced. Data was collected by individual in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data collection was stopped when data saturation was reached after interviewing nine (9) participants. Data analysis was done through the use of Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis while Guba’ s model was adopted for data verification. This study has highlighted the diverse challenges that the family caregivers of TBI patients encounter in the poorly developed communities. They expressed different challenges they were experiencing like lack of transport for patients, financial constraints, non-existent health services, lack of support groups and information regarding the condition. A model has been developed and guidelines formulated to empower the family caregivers to be able to have control over their situation.