Exploring Informal Caregiver Workload using a Macroergonomics Lens on Multiple Resources

Abstract

Persons with dementia (PwD) are an increasing population that are becoming more dependent on informal caregivers. Thus, caregiver workload is becoming a national concern due to the amount of patient work associated with caregiving. While we have a rudimentary understanding of caregiving work demands, caregiving capacity is an area that needs further inquiry. In this study, we apply a macroergonomic approach to identify non-cognitive resources employed by caregivers, and contingencies for caregivers’ resource usage. We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with self-identified primary caregivers of persons with dementia. Using the patient work system model, we conducted content and thematic analyses of interview data to build a conceptual model of caregiving capacity. Our conceptual model includes 6 different resources channels that caregivers may activate. We also identified 3 contingencies of resource usage. This model can serve as a foundation for exploring distribution of caregiver workload among non- cognitive resources.