Qualitative Insights on the Caregiving of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients with Low Quality of Life Scores
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.1.20
- Author:
Nik Nairan Abdullah
1
;
Hamidah Yamat
2
;
Idayu Badilla Idris
3
;
Nik Muhd. Aslan Abdullah
4
Author Information
1. Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA,47000 Sungai Buloh,Selangor,Malaysia
2. Faculty of Education, Jalan Temuan,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor,Malaysia
3. Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Malaysia
4. Oncology Clinic,Sunway Medical Centre, 47500 Petaling Jaya,Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Caregiving, Gastrointestinal cancer, Qualitative, Family caregivers, Quality of life
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.1):140-148
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Caring for gastrointestinal cancer patients can be demanding and to some, caregivers, burdensome;
resulting in them having low quality of life (QOL) and thus they may become the next potential patients. Hence, true
heartfelt experiences need to be captured to highlight issues and preventive measures that are not voiced out as most
often caregiving is done in silence and out of responsibility. Therefore, this study aimed to explore on the caregivers’
insights on how caregiving experience has resulted in their low QOL. Methods: Seven family caregivers were purposively selected from two oncology centres in the Klang Valley, Malaysia for this qualitative case study. The selection
was based on the low scores obtained from Malay Caregiver Quality of Life Cancer (MCQOL) questionnaire during
an initial cross-sectional study. Following that, in-depth interviews were performed on those selected caregivers.
Interview data were triangulated with the questionnaire and observations for validity. Member and expert checking
were conducted to ensure credibility and trustworthiness. A thematic content analysis was later performed. Results:
Thematic analysis revealed four distinct contributors to the caregivers’ QOL; namely, patients’ financial and stress
management; impact towards physical, psychological, social (including relationship) wellbeing, communication;
and support from families, organisation and community. Conclusion: The qualitative study discovered evidence for
collaborative support needed to ensure better QOL for the caregivers.
- Full text:11.2023my1420.pdf
