[Predicting Care and Repercussions for Caregivers of Surgical Patients at Home]

To analyze the correlation between the state of health, knowledge, and social support of surgical patients' caregivers at home, with the intensity of nursing care and its consequences.

A longitudinal observational study with follow-up at admission, discharge and 10 days following discharge at home, held in the surgical hospitalization unit at the Vic University Hospital, (Barcelona). A non-randomized and consecutive sample of 317 informal caregivers of surgical patients with abdominal surgery was included in the study. The characteristics of caregivers were studied using the Nursing Outcomes Classification indicators. The intensity of nursing care, consequences and impact on patient quality of life was evaluated through the validated ICUB97-R questionnaire.

Most of the caregivers were women, with an average age of 52,9 ± 13,7years, with no previous experience as caregivers. The greatest intensity of care and impact was observed on caregivers who attended dependent and/or cancer diagnosed patients at home, dedicating the largest time to provide care (p < 0,005). Predictor variables for the occurrence of consequences during convalescence at home were emotional health satisfaction, routine activity disruption, fear, sleep pattern and being a dependent patient.

Emotional health satisfaction, routine activity disruption, fear, sleep pattern and being a dependent patient before surgery are strong predictive variables for the occurrence of consequences on caregivers during convalescence at home. There is a significant negative correlation between punctuations in the ICUB97-R questionnaire and the Nursing Outcomes Classification indicators.