Abstract 183: Prioritizing Interventions To Reduce The Caregiver Burden Among Racially And Ethnically Diverse Co-survivors Of Cardiac Arrest Survivors: A Cross-sectional National Survey Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac arrest (CA) co-survivors i.e., close family members of CA survivors, have high levels of caregiver burden and poor quality of life. We aim to prioritize potential patient-, and co-survivor-centric interventions that may alleviate caregiver burden. Methods: We distributed an online survey to adult, co-survivor members of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and Parent Heart Watch national databases and CA-specific Facebook groups. Participants provided demographics, details on their loved ones’ CA, and their caregiving role. They then ranked their top choice among 8 unique interventions focusing on either patient-centric education-based needs (n=4) or co-survivor-centric resources for self-care and enhanced psychological support (n=4). The survey was developed by a multidisciplinary research team and patient and co-survivor stakeholders. Results: Of 657 responses received, 550 co-survivors (57% were between the age of 18-40 years, 65% were women, 51% of minority race/ethnicity, 53% partners or spouse, an average of 8 hours of caregiving, for an average of 5 months) with the complete ranking data, were analyzed. A total of 347 (63%) co-survivors ranked patient-centric education-based interventions as their top choice ( Figure 1 shows distributions ). A multivariate model estimating the drivers of preferences for education-based interventions over co-survivors resource-based interventions showed age>40 years, direct discharge to home after CA vs inpatient rehabilitation, co-survivor witnessing the CA, or assuming the caregiver role during hospitalization or within 1-month of CA, were significant predisposing factors. Conclusions: Education-based interventions, particularly information related to their loved ones’ recovery, are the top priorities for co-survivors during the early phase of CA survivorship. Future studies should focus on developing and testing these interventions for alleviation of caregiver burden.