Empowering family carers of people with multimorbidity as partners in chronic health care: Insights from health professionals

Sarah Giunta; Phyllis Butow; Ilona Juraskova; Louise Sharpe; Eliza Ferguson; Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2022.08.019

Empowering family carers of people with multimorbidity as partners in chronic health care: Insights from health professionals

Patient Educ Couns. 2022 Dec;105(12):3550-3557. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.08.019. Epub 2022 Aug 30.

Authors

Sarah Giunta¹, Phyllis Butow², Ilona Juraskova³, Louise Sharpe¹, Eliza Ferguson¹, Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell⁴

Affiliations

¹ The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, Australia.
² The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Sydney, Australia.
³ The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, Centre for Medical Psychology & evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, Centre for Medical Psychology & evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: rebekah.laidsaar-powell@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 36096983
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.08.019

Abstract

Objectives: People living with multimorbidity often rely on the support of informal family carers, yet challenges frequently arise when carers of people with multimorbidity (PwM) interact with health professionals (HPs) and healthcare systems. This study aimed to provide insights into the experiences and challenges involved in working with carers of PwM, from HPs' perspectives.

Methods: Twenty-one HPs (11 doctors, 5 nurses and 5 allied health professionals) from varying specialities participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Five themes were identified: carer involvement makes multimorbidity easier to manage, differing views on HP's responsibilities to carers, multimorbidity makes management harder for HPs, strategies to support carers of PwM, and multimorbidity is one aspect of complexity.

Conclusions: HPs recognise unique needs of carers of PwM, yet perceive challenges addressing these needs and supporting this commonly overlooked group.

Practice implications: The unmet needs of carers of PwM that HPs identified in this study suggest pathways for future improvements and interventions, including HP education and training, and appropriate referral pathways for carers of PwM to access supportive services. Underpinning these findings is the need for greater recognition and respect for the critical work of family carers in healthcare.

Keywords: Chronic disease; Family carers; Health professional perspectives; Multimorbidity; Qualitative research.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Caregivers*
Delivery of Health Care
Health Personnel
Humans
Multimorbidity*
Power, Psychological
Qualitative Research