Experiences and support needs of informal carers of patients with breast cancer: Protocol for a qualitative study

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Erbildim E., Keskindağ B.

11TH INTERNATIONAL “BASKENT” CONGRESS ON SOCIAL, HUMANITIES, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES, Ankara, Türkiye, 8 - 10 Şubat 2024, ss.106, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.106
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Kuzey Kıbrıs Kampüsü Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Informal carers are required to spend long times at home providing care to patients who might be relatives or partners. During those times, informal caregivers experience increased burden in several aspects of their lives such as social, psychological, physical and financial. Inability to spend time on self-care, having freedom restricted, losing jobs and difficulty in adapting social role of caregiving are some of obstacles faced by caregivers leading to mental and physical struggles. The study aims to understand experiences and support needs of informal carers of patients with breast cancer in Northern Cyprus. The study will be conducted using individual semi-structured interviews with between 15 -20 informal carers of patients with breast cancer recruited using purposive sampling strategy, considering information power. The interviews will be conducted in local language (Turkish) and transcripts in Turkish will be inductively analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). With critical realist philosophical standpoint, the analysis will be completed by using interpretivist approach to understand patient experiences. The findings then will be translated into English. Conceptual equivalence will be ensured throughout the research process. In Northern Cyprus access to local mental healthcare is limited due to lack of governmental support.  Especially among informal carers who are obliged to cope with excessive financial, psychological and physical burden of caregiving, seeking and acquiring mental support is difficult due to lack of time and financial resources. Therefore, it is expected that information needs and psychosocial support needs will be highlighted in this group as a result of the study. Currently, we are at the stage of participant recruitment for individual interviews. By understanding experiences of informal carers of breast cancer patients, their needs during caregiving will be identified. The findings are expected to be helpful in informing local health-care system for tailoring support needs for informal carers of patients with breast cancer.