The Decision-Making Experiences of Caregivers Regarding Feeding Tube Placement in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube placement is multifactorial and considered a lifesaving mechanism, which leads to a host of thoughts and feelings that affect the decision-making experience. As people live longer and the population ages, these decisions often involve the caregivers who have their own experience and therefore can result in caregiver burden and anxiety. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to describe and understand the caregiver's decision-making experience regarding percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube placement in community-dwelling adults. Edmund Husserl's philosophical underpinnings were utilized in conjunction with Colaizzi's (1978) method of data analysis to maintain the rigor of the study. Sixteen adult caregivers of patients from six rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was conducted. Findings: The study results yield four main themes: "Survival... that was the determining factor"; "The doctor decided"; "More education... just make sure they understand"; and "It makes me very scared." Implications for practice, policy, and future research are thoroughly discussed.