Determinants of Caregiver Burden Among Spouses of Patients With Kidney Failure: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Rationale & Objective

Spousal caregivers participate extensively in the care of patients with kidney failure. Although previous studies suggested that these caregivers experience a high burden, a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of this burden and strategies to alleviate it are needed. Therefore, this study sought to explore the contributing and alleviating determinants of burden in spousal caregivers of patients with kidney failure.

Study Design

A qualitative interview study with 15 spousal caregivers.

Setting & Participants

Dutch-speaking, adult spousal caregivers were recruited and interviewed by the Dutch Kidney Patients Association for the Kidney Decision Aid.

Analytical Approach

A directed qualitative content analysis using the stress-appraisal model of caregiver burden as a framework to inform a disease-specific model on spousal caregiver burden for kidney failure that characterizes the impact of care provision on all aspects of spousal caregivers’ lives, the burden associated with it, and possible mitigating factors.

Results

Providing care for patients with kidney failure is complex and burdensome for spousal caregivers and results in many lifestyle changes, which are largely caused by kidney failure–specific tasks and the shifting responsibility for daily life tasks. Spouses identified disease-specific determinants of burden including the impact of kidney disease on spouses with the disease as well as the associated caregiver tasks, such as adjusting to dietary restrictions and attending dialysis appointments. Dialysis options (eg, the choice for home or in-center dialysis) were kidney failure–specific moderators of burden. Support of spousal caregivers by health care providers plays a key role in preventing overburdening.

Limitations

Potential limited transferability owing to the study of only Dutch-speaking spouses willing to be interviewed and videotaped.

Conclusions

This comprehensive overview of the contributing and alleviating determinants of burden experienced by spousal caregivers of patients with kidney failure highlights 4 principal areas: (1) personal and relational, (2) social environment, (3) health care, and (4) work and legislation, in which such burdens occur and may be alleviated.

Plain-Language Summary

Spousal caregivers are crucial for supporting patients with kidney failure, but they often experience significant stress and challenges. This study explored factors that contribute to spousal caregiver burden and ways to alleviate it. We interviewed 15 spousal caregivers of patients with kidney failure. We found that providing care for patients with kidney failure is complex, burdensome, and has a major impact on caregivers’ lives. We identify factors that contribute to caregiver burden but also factors that may ease this burden. This study underlines the need for acknowledgement of spousal caregivers in 4 areas, namely (1) personal and relational, (2) social environment, (3) health care, and (4) work and legislation.