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Challenges Faced by Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients: A Qualitative Study

Aghila S.B

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Journal of Psychiatric Nursing 15(1):p 07-12, Jan-April 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/jpn.2277.9035.15126.1

How Cite This Article:

Aghila S.B. Challenges Faced by Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients: A Qualitative Study. J Psychiatr Nurs. 2026; 15(1): 07–12

Timeline

Received : March 13, 2026         Accepted : April 09, 2026          Published : April 30, 2026

Abstract

Background: Caregivers play a crucial role in supporting patients receiving palliative care. While providing physical and emotional assistance, caregivers often face significant psychological, social, and financial challenges that affect their well-being. Objectives: 1. To explore the lived experiences of caregivers of palliative care patients. 2. To identify the major physical, emotional, and social challenges faced by caregivers. 3. To understand the coping strategies used by caregivers during palliative care provision. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted among primary caregivers of patients receiving palliative care. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in the palliative care units of two tertiary hospitals in Kozhikode district. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach. Results: Five major themes emerged from the analysis: emotional burnout, physical strain, social isolation, financial burden, and lack of professional support. Caregivers reported experiencing persistent anxiety, fatigue, withdrawal from social life, financial stress, and uncertainty in managing patient care at home. Conclusion: Caregivers of palliative care patients face multidimensional challenges that significantly affect their physical and psychological well-being. The findings highlight the need for structured caregiver support programs, including counseling, caregiver training, and respite care services.

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Cite this article

Aghila S.B. Challenges Faced by Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients: A Qualitative Study. J Psychiatr Nurs. 2026; 15(1): 07–12

Licence:

Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
March 13, 2026 April 09, 2026 April 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/jpn.2277.9035.15126.1

Keywords

Palliative careCaregiversQualitative researchCaregiver burdenThematic analysis

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Timeline

Received March 13, 2026
Accepted April 09, 2026
Published April 30, 2026

licence

Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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