Patterns of Caregiving Among Patients Hospitalized With Cardiovascular Disease

• DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0b013e3181f34bb3
• Publication Date: 2013-07-04T02:48:37Z
• Authors: Lori Mosca; Heidi Mochari-Gre...; Brooke Aggarwal; Ming Liao; Niurka Suero-Tejeda; Mariceli Comellas; Lisa Rehm; Tianna M. Umann; Roxana Mehran
• Keywords: Caregiver Burden; Caregiver stress; Family Caregivers; Univariate analysis

Background and Objectives: Cardiac caregivers may represent a novel low-cost strategy to improve patient adherence medical follow-up guidelines and, ultimately, outcomes. Prior work on caregiving has been conducted primarily in mental health cancer research; few data have systematically evaluated of cardiac patients. The purpose this study was evaluate the patterns characteristics among hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) assess disparities caregiver burden determine potential for impact clinical Subjects Methods: Consecutive admitted service line at university center during an 11-month period were included Family Caregiver Investigation To Evaluate Outcomes (FIT-O) study. Patients (n = 4500; 59% white, 62% male, 93% participation rate) completed standardized interviewer-assisted questionnaire English or Spanish regarding assistance care, daily activities, medications past year plans posthospitalization. In univariate multiple variable analyses, categorized as either paid/professional (eg, nurse/home aide) nonpaid family member/friend). Results Conclusions: Among CVD patients, 13% planned paid 51% discharge. Planned more prevalent racial/ethnic minority versus white (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.8); prevalence did not differ by race/ethnicity. Most female (78%). who had prior hospitalization (28%) reported grocery shopping/meal preparation (32%), transport to/arranging doctor visits (30%), medication adherence/medical needs (25%) top tasks assisted with. Following hospitalization, majority expect caregivers, women, assist that outcomes such follow-up, adherence, nutrition, suggesting these are important targets education.