Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Background: Caregivers of cancer patients experience significant challenges that affect their physical, psychological, and social well-being. This qualitative study aims to explore the specific challenges faced by caregivers of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi, Seyed Mohammad Hossein Mousavi, Ghazaleh Sheikhani, Mahmoud Keyvanara, Sima Ani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-03-01
Series:Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_125_23
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author Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi
Seyed Mohammad Hossein Mousavi
Ghazaleh Sheikhani
Mahmoud Keyvanara
Sima Ani
author_facet Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi
Seyed Mohammad Hossein Mousavi
Ghazaleh Sheikhani
Mahmoud Keyvanara
Sima Ani
author_sort Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi
collection DOAJ
description Background: Caregivers of cancer patients experience significant challenges that affect their physical, psychological, and social well-being. This qualitative study aims to explore the specific challenges faced by caregivers of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The present study is a conventional qualitative study based on the Graneheim method for content analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews with 11 family caregivers of cancer patients in Isfahan, Iran. Results: The challenges faced by family caregivers of cancer patients are classified into three main categories: 1) caregiver burnout which includes, “non-cooperation of the patient with the caregiver,” “funding the costs of care and treatment,” “lack of support for the family caregiver by the family and society,” and “lack of knowledge and proper care skills.” 2) Health threats to the family caregiver which include, “imbalance of self-care versus patient care,” “disruption of a healthy lifestyle,” and “occurrence of psychophysical symptoms caused by stress in caregivers.” 3) Work-family-care conflicts which include: “conflict between patient care and family” and “conflict between patient care and work.” Conclusions: This study provides additional insights into the personal and societal challenges faced by family caregivers of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, health policymakers can take concrete steps to address these challenges and enhance the support for family caregivers, who play a crucial role in public health.
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spelling doaj-art-fa25bf0a79f2473d8a7f94c2b4e2dd492025-08-20T03:03:40ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research1735-90662228-55042025-03-0130217518110.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_125_23Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative StudyMohammad Reza SharbafchiSeyed Mohammad Hossein MousaviGhazaleh SheikhaniMahmoud KeyvanaraSima AniBackground: Caregivers of cancer patients experience significant challenges that affect their physical, psychological, and social well-being. This qualitative study aims to explore the specific challenges faced by caregivers of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The present study is a conventional qualitative study based on the Graneheim method for content analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews with 11 family caregivers of cancer patients in Isfahan, Iran. Results: The challenges faced by family caregivers of cancer patients are classified into three main categories: 1) caregiver burnout which includes, “non-cooperation of the patient with the caregiver,” “funding the costs of care and treatment,” “lack of support for the family caregiver by the family and society,” and “lack of knowledge and proper care skills.” 2) Health threats to the family caregiver which include, “imbalance of self-care versus patient care,” “disruption of a healthy lifestyle,” and “occurrence of psychophysical symptoms caused by stress in caregivers.” 3) Work-family-care conflicts which include: “conflict between patient care and family” and “conflict between patient care and work.” Conclusions: This study provides additional insights into the personal and societal challenges faced by family caregivers of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our findings, health policymakers can take concrete steps to address these challenges and enhance the support for family caregivers, who play a crucial role in public health.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_125_23caregiver burdencaregiverscovid-19neoplasmsqualitative research
spellingShingle Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi
Seyed Mohammad Hossein Mousavi
Ghazaleh Sheikhani
Mahmoud Keyvanara
Sima Ani
Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research
caregiver burden
caregivers
covid-19
neoplasms
qualitative research
title Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
title_full Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
title_fullStr Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
title_short Caring Challenges of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
title_sort caring challenges of family caregivers of cancer patients in the covid 19 pandemic a qualitative study
topic caregiver burden
caregivers
covid-19
neoplasms
qualitative research
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_125_23
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