Abstract

Background: The role of family caregivers in the provision of palliative care services to patients with chronic kidney,disease (CKD) is substantial. They encounter many hurdles in the process of caregiving. If not taken care properly,,it results in poor quality of service offered to patients and also affects the health of the caregivers. Objectives: To,explore the perceived challenges of caregivers of CKD patients on regular dialysis and to identify the suggested,solutions for the same.
Materials and Methods: It was a phenomenological type of qualitative study carried out,using in-depth interviews by researchers trained in qualitative methods among the 18 caregivers of the patients with,CKD. Responses given in Tamil were noted down verbatim and were translated into English. The manual content,analysis was carried out. Ethical principles have adhered.
Results: Descriptive coding of the text information was,done, and later, similar codes were merged together to form the categories. Eight broad categories emerged each under,the theme of perceived challenges of caregivers and suggested solutions to them. They were (1) family or day-to-day,life related; (2) psychological; (3) financial; (4) social; (5) spiritual; (6) physical; (7) treatment-related; and (8) travelrelated,issues. Conclusion: Providing support for family caregivers is considered as a key component of palliative,care. Multicomponent interventions involving various stakeholders are required to address the challenges faced by the,caregivers. Effective coordination among family members, community volunteers, health system, and government for,the betterment of caregivers is the main need.