Factor-associated caregiver burden in medically complex patients with special health-care needs Nobuyuki Yotani,1,2 Akira Ishiguro,2 Hirokazu Sakai,2 Satoko Ohfuji,1 Wakaba Fukushima1 and Yoshio Hirota1 1 Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka and 2Department of General Pediatrics and Interdisciplinary Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan Abstract
Background: Many medically complex patients with special health-care needs (PSHCN) receive home-based medical support, placing a major burden on their caregivers. We characterized the caregiving factors involved in PSHCN and their relationship with caregiver burden. Methods: The PSHCN and their families were recruited from children’s hospitals and rehabilitation centers. A medical information handbook was distributed to the families on enrollment, followed by a self-report questionnaire 1 year later. Data on the type of caregiving involved, family circumstances, and caregiver burden were collected. The Zarit caregiver burden scale (ZS) was used to evaluate caregiver burden. Logistic regression (proportional odds model) was used to determine associations between each variable and caregiver burden in each of two PSHCN age groups:
Factor-associated caregiver burden in medically complex patients with special health-care needs.
Many medically complex patients with special health-care needs (PSHCN) receive home-based medical support, placing a major burden on their caregivers...