Caregiving Challenges Across the Treatment and Recovery Trajectory of Patients Undergoing Oesophageal Cancer Surgery: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study Guided by the Timing It Right Framework

AIMS: To explore caregiving challenges experienced by family caregivers of patients undergoing oesophageal cancer surgery across different stages of the treatment and recovery trajectory and how these challenges evolve over time. DESIGN: A longitudinal qualitative study guided by the timing it right framework. METHODS: Guided by the Timing It Right Framework, this descriptive qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with 17 primary family caregivers of patients undergoing oesophageal cancer surgery. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Caregiving challenges varied across stages and evolved dynamically. Five stage-specific patterns were identified: admission and treatment-planning, emotional shock, disclosure challenges, and treatment decision-making difficulties; preoperative, concerns about surgical tolerance, psychological burden, and surgical safety; postoperative, difficulties meeting care needs, limited caregiving knowledge and skills, and physical and psychosocial strain; hospital-to-home transition, difficulties obtaining care knowledge, nutritional management challenges, and difficulties responding to negative emotions and social withdrawal; and longer-term adjustment, increasing time commitment, financial pressure, fear of recurrence, and anticipatory grief. CONCLUSION: Caregiving challenges change throughout the disease trajectory. Nurses should provide continuous, stage-specific support that addresses caregivers' evolving informational, practical, psychological, and social needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Stage-specific assessment, education, and support may help nurses address caregivers' changing needs during cancer treatment and recovery. IMPACT: This study highlights the stage-specific and dynamic nature of caregiving challenges across the oesophageal cancer treatment and recovery trajectory. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public involvement.