Association between family caregiver competence and dependency in patients discharged from the Intensive Care Unit

Objective

To determine the association between the competence (knowledge, skill and preparation) of the family caregiver and the degree of dependency of patients discharged from Intensive Care Unit.

Method

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out to characterize family caregivers and patients discharged from the ICU with moderate, severe or total dependence according to Barthel score. Competence was measured with the application of the CUIDAR instrument and caregiver performance (execution of activities in a specific situation) with an instrument that evaluated the performance of actions aimed at supplying basic needs of feeding, elimination, body hygiene, skin care, oxygen therapy and medication administration in a sample of 140 caregivers.

Results

A positive association was found between patient functionality and caregiver performance (Spearman rho: 0.38; p < .001). In contrast, no significant correlation was observed between the self-perception of caregiver competence assessed with the CUIDAR instrument and the patient’s functionality, measured by the Barthel scale (Spearman rho: 0.12; p = .16). The 69.3% of the participants had a medium or low competence, only (30.7%) were classified at a high level. The lowest scores were obtained in knowledge (62.9%), followed by uniqueness (32.9%).

Conclusion

There is a significant association between patient functionality and objectively assessed caregiver performance; thus, caregivers of more dependent patients have significant challenges to achieve adequate performance in their role.