Caregiver Burden and the Level of Perceived Social Support of Caregivers Helping with Inpatient Care of Patients with Gynecologic Cancer

AIM: This study aimed to determine the caregiver burden and the level of perceived social support of caregivers helping with inpatient care of patients with gynecologic cancer. METHOD: This was a descriptive study. The research sample included 227 caregivers. These caregivers, whose informed consent was obtained, assisted in the inpatient care in gynecologic oncology clinics of 3 hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. The research data were collected using an information form developed to define the characteristics of patients and their caregivers. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. RESULTS: The average caregiving duration of the caregivers was 8.63 +/- 13.06 days. Their age, educational status, income, employment status, the number of children and duration of caregiving, sharing the caregiving, the difficulties faced during the caregiving significantly affected the caregiver burden and the perceived social support. It was found that there is a moderate, negative, and significant relationship between the scores of caregiver burden and perceived social support. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these results, the nurses should adopt an integrated approach while providing care for patients with gynecologic cancer and plan the care by including the caregivers.