Profile of Caregivers Caring for Patients with Cancer Undergoing Oral Chemotherapy

Abstract

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Oral chemotherapy is used by cancer patients at home; this requires the role of the family as caregivers in their treatment; this is important considering the complexity of oral chemotherapy drugs with protocols and drug effects. This research contributed to obtaining a profile picture of caregivers of cancer patients. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative. This research was conducted at a hospital in Yogyakarta. The number of samples in qualitative research was 49. The results of this study were that most caregivers were aged 45-54 years (32.65%), and the majority were female (65.31%). The majority of caregivers are also married (56.10%). Most caregivers hold bachelor's degrees (34.69%), and most caregivers have a husband and wife-relationship with the patients they care for (38.78%). In general, caregivers have many years of experience in treating cancer patients, namely one year or less (38.78%). The most common type of cancer among patients receiving treatment is breast cancer (49.94%). Conclusion: This profile data can be used as a basis for further research regarding patient care at home by the family as caregivers, especially in patients receiving oral chemotherapy treatment.