Study on the Status and Influencing Factors of Caregiver Burden of Bone Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Purpose: While caregivers of cancer patients generally bear a heavy burden, there are relatively few studies on the caregiver burden of bone cancer patients. This study aimed to describe the current situation of the care burden of caregivers of bone cancer patients and explore the influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. By employing a convenient sampling method, a total of 154 caregivers of patients with bone cancer hospitalized in the Department of Bone and Soft Tissue of a grade A hospital in Guangzhou from July to December 2023 were selected as the study objects. The general data questionnaire, Caregiver Burden Inventory, and the Kessler psychological distress scale-10 were utilized, and data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Results: The total score of caregiver burden for bone cancer patients was (50.79 ± 14.16). Multivariate analysis results showed that patients’ self-care ability, caregivers’ age, daily care time, health status, and psychological distress were the influencing factors of caregiver burden. Conclusion: Most caregivers of bone cancer patients had a moderate or above care burden. Lower patient self-care ability, older caregiver age, longer daily care time, and poorer physical and psychological status led to a heavier care burden. Nurses should pay attention to caregivers’ burden experience, strengthen health education, and provide appropriate help for caregivers to reduce the level of care burden.