[Experiences of family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
This study done to identify the experiences of families caring for patients with terminal cancer. The question was, "What is the caregiving experience of a family who has a member with terminal cancer?"


METHODS
Grounded Theory was applied and in-depth interviews were done with 11 family members. Interviews were recorded with the interviewees' consent and were transcribed and analyzed. Participants' relationships to patients were 6 spouses, 4 daughters, and 1 mother. The ages of the participants were between 32 and 62, with an average of 47.5.


RESULTS
The study showed "enduring with bonds" as the main category and the main factor affecting this category was the "patients' diagnosis of terminal cancer." The caregiving experience was divided into four stages: shock, confusion, struggle, and acceptance. Mediating factors were relationship with the patient, intimacy with the patient, social support, communication, and trust. Conclusively, participants underwent internal maturity, and changes occurred in family and social and personal life.


CONCLUSIONS
The families took care of the patients with responsibility and love. The study results should help with the understanding of a family with a member with terminal cancer and should be used to develop nursing, mediating, and consulting programs for these caregivers.
Center for Lung Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea. eunsookc77@ncc.re.kr
Eun Sook
ES
Choi
Keum Soon
KS
Kim
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012944:Social Support; D013727:Terminal Care; D019452:Terminally Ill