The views of nurses about the care burden of informal caregivers

The study was planned as descriptive in order to determine the nurses views about the problems of informal caregivers of individuals with care needs. The population was created with 522 nurses worked at Ataturk State Hospital and University Hospital which are included in Duzce Association of Public Hospitals and the 89.8% of population ( 469) was reached. The data collection forms prepared in accordance with sample literature were administered to nurses who agree to participate to study by face to face interviews. As an assessment of data, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact tests were used for the significance of difference among number, percentage and qualitative distribution. It was determined that the nurses in research were young and middle age. The average operation time was between 1 and 7 year. 57.4% of nurses had bachelor's degree and were working at internal and surgical medical sciences. Of 57.4 % weren't participated in any training about burden of care and of 17.9% were the long term caregiver nurses to a member of family. As concerning the care burden of informal caregivers, the 94.9% of nurses in this study stated that informal caregivers experienced many difficulties. From these difficulties, personal characteristics, caregiving time and multidimensional care necessity were effective factors. Moreover, it was stated that informal caregivers could experience physical strain, emotional and psychological problems. In addition, it was defined that the 81.2% of nurses in study proposed the participation of nurses in order to decrease the care burden of informal caregivers, evaluation of lack of information, physical, social, and psychological evaluation. As a result, it was determined that the nurses had views about care burden. However, they met many difficulties since they didn't know how to deal with these people. It was come out that if caregivers needs were met and they were assisted psychologically, physically and socially, the care burden would reduce. So, the rehospitalization could reduce. It is recommended that in-service training should be supplied for nurses to provide psychological, physical and social support and informal caregivers training needs. Moreover, it is recommended to encourage the nurses to follow up national policies for informal caregivers, hospital policies and current information of health service innovations. Key Words: Burden of care, Nurse, İnformal caregiver.