Interventions applied and problems experienced by caregivers of hemodialysis patients in symptom control

Patients experience many symptoms over the period of dialysis and caregivers of patients assume great responsibilities in controlling these symptoms. Therefore, this descriptive research was conducted to determine the interventions applied and problems experienced by caregivers of hemodialysis patients in symptom control. The study was conducted between March and May 2012, in four different hemodialysis centers in the city center and towns of Bitlis, with 71 patients and 71 caregivers. Before initiating the research, written permission was obtained from the ethics committee and from the institutions where the study was conducted, and permission was obtained from the caregivers. Data were collected by using a questionnaire which included questions about descriptive information on patients and caregivers, symptoms that patients could develop, problems that caregivers were likely to experience to due to care giving, and interventions applied by caregivers for controlling the symptoms experienced by patients. The obtained data were evaluated by numbers, percentage and chi-square on a computer. It was determined that most of the caregivers were 40 years old and older, married and unemployed, illiterate, and they experienced fatigue, sleeplessness, tendency to cry and restriction of social activities. These problems were experienced more intensely especially by women, those who give care all hours of the day, and those who need information and support during care giving. It was observed that caregivers did not answer many questions about the control of symptoms experienced by patients, and that the interventions they applied for some symptoms were inadequate. In line with these results, it may be suggested that the health care team should provide caregivers with support in order to reduce their physical and psychological problems, and caregivers should be educated on the control of symptoms experienced by patients.