Self-positioning in the context of double duty caregiving-Secondary analysis of a scoping review

The needs and support requirements of double duty caregivers (DDC) by healthcare professionals differ depending on whether they identify themselves as a professional nurse or family caregiver in private care arrangements. Questions of identity are usually not addressed by the DDCs. Resulting misunderstandings have the potential for conflict, which places additional strain on DDCs.

The aim of this article is to present the essential characteristics of DDCs based on a model corresponding to their identity either as a professional nurse or family caregiver in a private care arrangement.

A secondary analysis of 32 articles identified after a systematic literature search for a scoping review on the topic was carried out. A total of 18 articles were included in the qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz and Rädiker.

A model of Continuum of Self-Positioning of Double Duty Caregivers was developed. It describes the characteristics DDCs show in four contexts: caregiving context, family context, healthcare system context, own workplace. Depending on the understanding of their own role in the different care settings, they are able to develop a better understanding of their identity either as a professional nurse or family caregiver, whereby the transitions are fluid.

There are characteristics that can be assigned to the respective presumed identity of the DDCs. Knowing this enables healthcare professionals and family members to interact appropriately with DDCs and thus minimize the potential for conflict.