Caring for Family Caregivers:a Research-action Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Problem Solving Technique (PST) in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among primary caregivers of chronically ill patients. And also to describe and evaluate the process carried out by nurses when implementing the PST as a useful tool for care for family caregivers.

Detailed Description
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Background: In Spain, home care for the chronically ill and their family caregivers should be a priority in health and social policies due to the aging of the population and the progressive increase in dependent individuals. In our case, 88% of healthcare within dependency care is provided by the family and only 12% by health professionals. The family requires comprehensive and multidisciplinary ongoing care, in which the primary healthcare nurse plays a leading role. One of the areas involved is home-based nursing and counselling for family caregivers, in order to improve the quality of the care provided and to prevent issues arising that may adversely affect the caregiver's life. Method: This is a research-action study with a mixed analysis methodology. Quantitative analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Problem Solving Technique in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among family caregivers. The clinical trial involved a control and experimental group and pre-post intervention measurements, using the Goldberg scale of anxiety and depression. The sample consisted of 122 caregivers who presented one of these positive subscales. The technique's application process was evaluated for the qualitative analysis, with a content analysis of the records of 10 nurses performing the experimental intervention.

Official Title
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Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Reduction and Perceived Wellbeing Improvement in Female Primary Caregivers of Chronically Ill Patients by the Application of Problem Solving Technique by Primary Health Care Nurses

Conditions
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Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms, Emotions

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Application of Problem Solving Technique


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Caregivers of chronically ill patients included in the ATDOM programme, who at the time of the intervention had a positive score on the Goldberg scale for anxiety and/or depression. Exclusion Criteria: Professional caregivers
Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Lifestyle counseling<br>Application of Problem Solving Technique | Behavioral: Application of Problem Solving Technique<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: No counseling<br>Usual care by caregiver | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Anxiety | Goldberg Scale | Two years | 
| Depression | Goldberg scale | Two years | 
| perceived wellbeing levels | Primary caregiver's Emotional health(NOC 2506) | two years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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family caregivers, dependency, Problem Solving Technique, home based nursing