Care Burden and Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients

Objective: This research was conducted for the purpose of examining the care burden and quality of life in family caregivers of palliative care patients. Design: The research design was a descriptive correlational study conducted with the caregivers of 163 patients residing in palliative care units. Data were collected via a demographic survey, The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL). Results: The results showed that there was a negative correlation between ZBI and WHOQOL scores. Further, there was a significant negative correlation between many subdimensions of the ZBI (general quality of life, general perception of health, being satisfied with daily life skills, home conditions, energy and self-satisfaction) and the WHOQOL. Quality of life thus appeared to be reduced in family members with a high level of care burden and that the quality of life of caregivers depends on the individual characteristics of the caregiver. Conclusions: Social workers, nurses and physicians should regularly assess the burden and quality of life of caregivers.