[The meaning of hospitalization from the perspective of the caregiver: A qualitative study]

Knowing the meaning of hospitalization for the family caregiver of the hospitalized sick person.

Qualitative study using grounded theory. Participants were included if they met the following criteria: a) being part of the family; b) the sick person was admitted into a hospital in the state of Chihuahua; and c) the hospitalized person was over 18 years old. Sampling was applied by purpose. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with an opening question. Similarly, memos were applied in the process of gathering. The analysis applied was based on grounded theory, with an open, axial and selective coding, identifying the categories and subcategories. During the analysis process the method of constant comparison was applied.

Eighteen participants were included; 16 of whom were female. The mean age was 48.11 years old. The core category was identified: "the naked soul", formed by the categories; "I deal with the disease" which describes the situations experienced by the caregiver during and after the hospitalization process; "wartime" makes reference to the family problems that develop or worsen during the hospitalization process; and "dancing in the storm" focuses on all the positive changes occurring in the primary caregiver.

Hospitalization causes uncertainty in the caregiver. Nurses help facilitate the adaptation of the caregiver at baseline and identify their own strengths.