Primary care experiences of family caregivers using the same medical facility as their care recipient or a different facility

Background

Family caregivers and care recipients do not always have the same usual source of care, which may create barriers to providing optimal care for caregivers. This study aimed to compare family caregivers' primary care experiences based on whether they used the same medical facility as their care recipient or a different facility.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from a survey conducted in Japan in 2020. Participants were family caregivers aged 40–74 years who cared for community-dwelling adults with chronic conditions. Caregivers' primary care experiences were assessed using the Japanese version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool Short Form (JPCAT-SF). Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate differences in JPCAT-SF scores between caregivers who used the same medical facility as their care recipient and those who used a different facility.

Results

Of the 406 family caregivers analyzed, 216 (53.2%) used a different medical facility from their care recipient. After adjusting for possible confounders, JPCAT-SF total scores were significantly lower among family caregivers using a different facility compared with those using the same facility (adjusted mean difference −5.73, 95% confidence interval: −8.93 to −2.54). The JPCAT-SF subscale scores for longitudinality, comprehensiveness (services available), and community orientation were significantly lower in the different facility group than the same facility group.

Conclusions

Family caregivers who used a different medical facility from their care recipient reported more negative primary care experiences than caregivers using the same facility. Greater efforts may be needed to provide patient-centered, family-oriented primary care for these caregivers.