Assessment of Fatigue Levels Among Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in a University Hospital

Background Cancer is a challenging process that brings about negative physical, emotional, and social effects for both patients and their family caregivers. Caring for patients diagnosed with cancer by family members can be exhausting, especially when prolonged and intensive. Thus, it is crucial to assess family caregivers’ fatigue levels and create plans to ease that condition. Methods This descriptive study was conducted to assess the fatigue levels of family members of cancer patients. The population consisted of all cancer patients followed in the oncology clinic and outpatient clinic, while the sample included 199 family members caring for these patients according to the power analysis ( α = 0.05 and 1 − β = 80%) and inclusion criteria, and the study was completed with 200 family caregivers of these patients. The data were collected using a questionnaire, developed by the researchers based on the literature review and the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS). Results The findings of the study indicated that the PFS total mean score of the caregivers was 5.43 ± 2.21. Moreover, those who were female, were suffering from a chronic disease, had another family member to look after, cared for a patient with inadequate self‐care, did not receive any care support from anyone else, stated that they had physical and economic problems due to care, thought that they neglected their other family members due to care responsibilities, and reported that caregiving negatively affected their social life/quality of life had higher PFS total mean scores ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Consequently, it was found that family caregivers experienced moderate levels of fatigue. Furthermore, being a woman, caring for someone with a chronic illness other than cancer, and caring for someone who is unable to meet self‐care needs are significant factors that exacerbate fatigue of caregivers. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the fatigue levels of family caregivers of cancer patients and provide them with the necessary support.