Emotional stress between informal caregivers of patients in palliative care

Abstract

Objective: to analyze emotional stress among informal caregivers of patients in palliative care. Method: this exploratory, qualitative field study was conducted with 10 informal caregivers from a philanthropic hospital in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. Data were collected between April and May 2021, through online questionnaire and virtual semi-structured interview, and then submitted to thematic content analysis, after approval by the human research ethics committee. Results: the thematic categories obtained were: physical and emotional fatigue in the informal caregiver; care as a form of duty and retribution for affection; care and the need for a social support network and spirituality; and caregivers’ difficulties in adapting to palliative care in the hospital. Final considerations: care responsibilities must be divided among informal and family caregivers. Also stressed is the importance of the health team’s stimulating caregivers spiritually and socially.