Effects of Education on Care Burden and Quality of Life to Caregivers of Patients with COPD

OBJECTIVE: This research was carried out in a single group, pretest–post-test design in order to determine the effect of education on care burden and life quality of caregivers provided to caregivers of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who received healthcare at their home. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The population of the study was composed of 35 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease living in the city center and receiving home health care and the caregivers of these patients. Research data were obtained by using the Caregiver Information Form, Patient Information Form, Caregiver Burden Inventory, and World Health Organization Quality of Scale-Bref Quality of Life Scale. Caregivers’ burden and quality of life were reevaluated once after every 1 month and 3 months following the education. RESULTS: It was determined that caregivers were the spouses and children of the patients, the majority of them did not consider themselves sufficient in providing care; their care burden was high and their quality of life was low. In post-education follow-ups, a significant reduction in caregiver burden and a significant increase in quality of life were detected. CONCLUSION: The education prepared considering the learning needs was seen to be effective in reducing the care burden of caregivers of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in improving their quality of life.