The life course of caregivers of patients with chronic disease in Tiznit- Morocco: Case of hemodialysis.

Abstract

Chronic diseases, including end-stage renal disease, are a health problem. Without the voluntary involvement of caregivers and their assistance, the management of these diseases is beyond the capacity of the health care system. Although the caregiving function offers a sense of usefulness and satisfaction, it can be a heavy burden. This can hurt all aspects of the caregiver's life course. our study aims to describe the life course of caregivers of patients with a chronic disease, the case of hemodialysis patients, in Tiznit, Morocco. Data collection is carried out by a semi-structured interview guide with 37 participants. The main results show that the life course of caregivers of people with chronic disease is impacted by hemodialysis. Indeed, the disease influences negatively all spheres of their daily life including the physical sphere with sleep disorders and fatigue, the psychological sphere with a feeling of shock and fear, and the social sphere with the feeling of isolation. In this sense, this paper aims to highlight the importance of the problem of caregivers of people with hemodialysis in Tiznit, Morocco. Similarly, to improve the care of patients with chronic diseases, it is important to take into account the life course of family caregivers. They play an essential role in the care of patients and make a considerable contribution through their emotional, moral, and material support to the person being cared for, as well as through the time they devote to the patients, in the tasks and acts of daily life that they perform for them. Keywords: caregivers, chronic illness, Life course, hemodialysis patients.