Burden on family carers and care-related financial strain at the end of life: a cross-national population-based study.
Eur J Public Health
; 24(5): 819-26, 2014 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24642602
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The rising number of deaths from cancer and other life-limiting illnesses is accompanied by a growing number of family carers who provide long-lasting care, including end-of-life care. This population-based epidemiological study aimed to describe and compare in four European countries the prevalence of and factors associated with physical or emotional overburden and difficulties in covering care-related costs among family carers of people at the end of life.METHODS:
A cross-national retrospective study was conducted via nationwide representative sentinel networks of general practitioners (GPs). Using a standardized form, GPs in Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy and Spain recorded information on the last 3 months of life of every deceased adult practice patient (1 January 2009-31 December 2010). Sudden deaths were excluded.RESULTS:
We studied 4466 deaths. GPs judged family carers of 28% (Belgium), 30% (The Netherlands), 35% (Spain) and 71% (Italy) of patients as physically/emotionally overburdened (P < 0.001). For 8% (Spain), 14% (Belgium), 36% (The Netherlands) and 43% (Italy) patients, GPs reported difficulties in covering care-related costs (P < 0.001). Patients <85 years of age (Belgium, Italy) had higher odds of having physically/emotionally overburdened family carers and financial burden. Death from non-malignant illness (vs. cancer) (Belgium and Italy) and dying at home compared with other locations (The Netherlands and Italy) were associated with higher odds of difficulties in covering care-related costs.CONCLUSION:
In all countries studied, and particularly in Italy, GPs observed a considerable extent of physical/emotional overburden as well as difficulties in covering care-related costs among family carers of people at the end of life. Implications for health- and social care policies are discussed.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Estrés Fisiológico
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Estrés Psicológico
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Cuidado Terminal
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Cuidadores
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Costo de Enfermedad
Tipo de estudio:
Health_economic_evaluation
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Observational_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Public Health
Asunto de la revista:
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Bélgica
Pais de publicación:
ENGLAND
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ESCOCIA
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GB
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GREAT BRITAIN
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INGLATERRA
/
REINO UNIDO
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SCOTLAND
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UK
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UNITED KINGDOM