Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life among Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients Admitted in Regional Cancer Centre Government Medical College, Jammu: A Prospective Observational Study

Objectives: We aimed to assess caregiver burden and quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in collaboration with Regional Cancer Centre, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu for a period of six months. The assessment of care giving burden was done using the pre-designed questionnaire form which included questions pertaining to important set of domains i.e., Physical Health, Emotional Health, Social Health and Spirituality of the caregivers. Results: The enrolled population sample consisted of 300 Caregivers aged 18-65 years, mostly males (65.33%), married (84.33%), employed (71.67%) with 29.67% co-morbidities. In this study, 90.67% of caregivers reported moderate caregiver burden. Conclusion: Caregivers are experiencing significant burden, particularly with respect to their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health. Supportive care needs to be sought to alleviate caregiving burden and improve the QOL of caregivers especially those attending hospitalized patients.