Explaining the Experiences and Consequences of Care Among Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer in the Terminal Phase: A Qualitative Research

Cancer is a disease which affects both the patient and family members. Family caregivers of these individuals have been recognized as the undercover patients, the problems and experiences of whom should be evaluated. The present research has been aimed to provide a deep understanding of the experiences and consequences of care in family caregivers of patients with cancer in the terminal phase.
The present research has been conducted by a qualitative content analysis method. The sampling method was purposeful and it was progressed until data saturation. The data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews, and then, were analyzed via content analysis.
From the total 18 interviews, 413 initial concepts (codes) were obtained. Finally, three main concepts (categories) were extracted after data analysis, including: 1, inhibition; 2, challenges and consequences of care; and 3, supportive-palliative factors.
According to the family caregivers’ condition in Iran, that is, caring overload, informational and emotional inhibition, and spirituality as a way of alleviation and adaptability, the emergent need for counseling and psychological-social-informational-spiritual support particular to this culture, seems to be necessary.