Analysis of the current status of hospice care needs and factors influencing them among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To understand the current status of the needs of patients receiving hospice services and their caregivers and the factors influencing them. METHODS A convenience sampling method was used to survey 120 family members caring for patients with advanced cancer in 1 hospital with hospice care in Ningxia from April to June 2022 as study subjects using the Barthel Index Rating Scale of Self-Care, the Caregiving Burden Scale, and the Caregiver's Need for Hospice Care Scale. RESULTS Caregivers' scores for each dimension of hospice service needs were, in descending order, social support needs  information needs  physiological needs  psychological needs  spiritual needs  health care behavioral needs; multiple linear regression analysis The results showed that education, patient relationship, willingness to receive hospice care, and burden of caregiving capacity entered the regression model (P<0.05) with R2=26.2%. CONCLUSION The level of education of caregivers, relationship with patients, willingness to receive hospice care, and the burden of caregiving ability are the main influencing factors of caregivers' demand for hospice services. The diversified needs of caregivers should be met by strengthening publicity and social support, establishing a new model of hospice care, and taking advantage of interprofessional teamwork.