A mixed-method study of primary caregivers’ experience of caring for patients with gastrointestinal cancer during perioperative period

Objective To investigate the current situation of primary caregivers experience of caring for patients with gastrointestinal cancer during perioperative period by using quantitative and qualitative research methods, and to provide reference for decision-making of perioperative health education. Methods A mixed-method study was conducted. A convenience sampling approach was utilized to collect a sample of 80 primary caregivers, and they were investigated by a self-made general information questionnaire and self-rating anxiety scale(SAS). According to the SAS score and principle of information saturation, a purposive sample of 10 respondents who had experienced anxiety was invited in face-to-face semi-structured interviews, and their descriptive data were recorded and analyzed. Results Of 80 primary caregivers included in this study, 13(16. 25%)caregivers had experienced anxiety in caring for patients with gastrointestinal cancer during perioperative period. Key themes were extracted and synthesized. Three main themes resuming primary caregivers experience of caring were concerning about patient's tolerance to treatment complications, patients’ psychological burden of disease and home-based nursing after discharge from hospital. Conclusion Primary caregivers of gastrointestinal cancer patients experienced a certain degree of anxiety during the perioperative period. Clinical practitioners should pay attention to the diverse needs of patients and their family members, and fill knowledge gaps of primary caregivers in perioperative and post-discharge home care. (目的 通过定量研究和定性研究的方法, 调查胃肠道肿瘤患者围手术期主要照顾者照护体验的发生现况, 为进一步完善围手术期健康宣教、制定针对性干预提供参考。方法 本研究采用混合研究方法: 定量研究部分采用问卷调查, 运用便利抽样方法选取2023年10月—2025年4月在广州市某三甲医院胃肠外科一区行择期手术患者的主要照顾者80例, 使用一般资料调查表和焦虑自评量表(SAS)收集相关资料; 定性研究部分采用描述性质性研究方法, 通过目的抽样法, 按照焦虑自评得分从高到低原则、信息饱和度原则, 根据定量研究结果, 从存在焦虑状况的主要照顾者中选取10例, 进行面对面半结构访谈并录音, 访谈后24 h内转为文本并提炼主题。结果 定量研究部分, 本研究共纳入择期胃肠道肿瘤患者主要照顾者80例, 存在焦虑状况的有13(16. 25%)例。定性研究部分, 本研究提炼了3个主题: ①主要照顾者焦虑患者对治疗方案的耐受情况; ②主要照顾者焦虑患者对疾病的心理负担情况; ③主要照顾者焦虑患者出院后居家护理情况。结论 目前胃肠道肿瘤患者围手术期主要照顾者存在一定程度的焦虑。临床工作者应重视患者及家属的多元化需求, 填补、强化主要照顾者围手术期及出院后居家护理知识。)