Experiences, coping and caregiver well-being for caregiving Thai family members with metastatic spinal cancer for palliative home care: A descriptive qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Caregiver well-being is essential for addressing the challenges of palliative home care for persons with metastatic spinal cancer (PwMSC) at the end of life. Despite their significant contributions to palliative home care, caregivers' efforts are often underrecognized and underutilized. Understanding caregivers' experiences, coping strategies, and well-being in palliative home care for PwMSC is essential to inform future implementation strategies and promote effective palliative care.

METHOD: A descriptive qualitative approach was used. Between September 2023 and October 2024, face-to-face, individual, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers providing home care for PwMSC in Northern Thailand. The interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics.

RESULTS

Twelve caregivers participated in these interviews. The overarching themes related to caregiver experiences, coping, and well-being. These included nine categories: nutrition and dietary management, access to healthcare and education, family and social support, emotional and psychological well-being, symptom and pain management, rehabilitation and physical support, responsibilities and role adaptation, holistic and complementary, and challenges and barriers. Participants found meaning in their caregiving roles, demonstrating a positive attitude toward implementing palliative home care and adopting optimistic perspectives to cope with challenges.

CONCLUSION

Northern Thailand, cultural and contextual factors influence effective palliative home care, with nutrition and dietary management emerging as pivotal themes. Caregivers' health literacy, capacity, and ability to balance nutritional needs with cultural practices care quality. Support from professional teams and adequate caregiver preparation, particularly in dietary and symptom management, are essential for effective home care practices.