Article: Family caregivers’ perceptions and challenges in the care of pressure injuries in daily life: a qualitative study
Year Published: July 2025
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Describe the method used by the author of the study:
ReplyDeleteThis study was done using qualitative methods, rather than quantitative and looked at how pressure injuries affect not only the patient but the caregiver. It looked at 17 families, patients and caregivers and explored eight key themes. These themes were divided into four caregiving practices, two caregivers' perceptions, and two major challenges. Caregivers were interviewed and observed caring for the patient and the data was compiled and analyzed.
Hi Katie,
DeleteI can't say this article utilized minimal approaches to being non bias. I say that because the point of this article was to see caregivers in their authentic environment acted toward the process of wound care. Within the axial coding theme the researches were determining the caregivers emotions and influences within their interactions in families. That sound be subjective from case to case. Some nurses will come to work different moods as well.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias. The biggest limitation of the study was sample size. The study was conducted by interviewing and observing 17 families in one city in China. Also, there is the custom of filial piety or familial responsibility in Chinese culture that that isn't as pronounced in some other cultures or doesn't exist at all. Because of this, some of the finding of this study might be limited to Chinese or similar cultures.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa Mendoza
ReplyDeleteDiscuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
The article focused on understanding the experiences and difficulties family caregivers face when providing daily care for older adults with pressure injuries. The main problem it addressed is that caring for patients with pressure injuries at home is complex often requiring both medical knowledge and patience. Caregivers were overwhelmed with managing wound care, balancing a personal life, dealing with emotional stress and accessing adequate resources and support. Understanding the perceptions and challenges caregivers have can help healthcare providers develop targeted education, training, and support programs to improve both caregiver well-being and patient outcomes.
Discuss the sample size used in the study/Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
The sample size consisted of 17 family caregivers and 17 older adult patients with pressure injuries. The study carried on for several months from June to December of 2023. This sample size was appropriate because it allowed manageable data collection of detailed experiences from both patient and caregiver. Although, it could be argued that a sample size of 17 is not enough to make generalized statements. Overall, the 17 caregiver-patient pairs offered a balanced combination of depth, diversity, and manageability for the research.
Hi Alyssa, I agree that managing wound care on a family member at home comes with many challenges. Among many of the challenges would include enough people being able to contribute to the care of the patient at home. Several people may need to be involved in the care if the aquiity demands it. This would include turning the patient q 2 hours, managing the dressing changes, if there is a wound vac involved and understanding when the device is not working and bringing the patient to their appointments.
DeleteDiscuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study
ReplyDeleteThe heart of this study is a straightforward but important question: What are family caregivers actually doing when they first face a pressure injury at home, and how does that compare to what clinical guidelines recommend?
The authors wanted to dig into the gap between “real life” care and “ideal” care. They focused on the earliest stages of home management, when an older adult develops their first pressure injury, because that’s often when prevention or quick action can make the biggest difference. Through observation and interviews, they explored not only the physical care tasks (like feeding, hygiene, repositioning, and dressing wounds) but also the caregivers’ emotional experiences and the challenges they face. Central to the problem is that many caregivers lack the knowledge, skills, and resources to identify early warning signs or access timely professional help, which can lead to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes.
Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias
This study gives us a useful glimpse into how some families care for loved ones with early pressure injuries at home, but it’s important to remember it’s based on a small group, just seventeen families from one part of Suzhou. That area is fairly developed and has good healthcare access, so the experiences here may be quite different from what you’d find in rural areas or other regions. The research also only looked at first‑time pressure injuries, so we don’t know if the same patterns would apply for longer‑term or recurring cases.
The way the study was set up also affects how we should read the results. Each caregiver was only observed once for a short time, so the researchers may have missed how care changes over days or during more stressful moments. Since it’s all based on interviews and observation notes, there’s no data to show how common certain issues are. Finally, because all the researchers were trained nurses, they may have judged home care practices through a hospital‑level lens, which could make practical at‑home adaptations seem less than ideal. Cultural ideas like filial duty are also given a lot of weight, and the report leans more toward highlighting problems than showcasing what worked well.
Discuss the sample size.
ReplyDeleteThe sample consisted of 17 family caregivers of older adults with initial pressure injuries, along with 17 corresponding patients in Suzhou, China. Most caregivers were middle-aged to elderly females who had served as the primary caregivers, providing the longest duration of daily care since the patient’s first pressure injury. This small, targeted sample enabled a deeper exploration of early caregiving experiences, offering rich perspectives on the perceptions and challenges of daily care. However, the limited sample size may constrain the generalizability of the findings to broader populations.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
With providing education for family caregivers about recognizing early signs of pressure injuries, this could allow for earlier detection of pressure injuries, reducing their severity, shortening treatment times, and lowering costs. This also enhances caregivers knowledge, leading to better care quality and patient outcomes. On the other hand, trying to implement these recommendations may be difficult due to limited resources, such as funding and properly trained staff. It also may be difficult for target audiences to receive information if they do not have access to the internet to access these online or app-based tools. Digital literacy may be limited in some communities.
1) Describe the method used in this article.
ReplyDeleteFrom June to December 2023, 17 older patients with pressure injuries were observed and 17 family caregivers were recruited. Combination of observation and in depth interviews was employed. Notes and interviews data were analyzed using a three level coding approach.
2) Discuss the limitations of the article.
Total of 17 family caregivers aged 48-79 years were interviewed and observed, most family caregivers had received at least six years of basic education, 8 had been educated in primary school or lower levels, 5 in junior high school, and 4 in senior high schools. In this study family caregivers after lacked professional knowledge of wounds care and therefore relief heavily on the assessment and guidance of healthcare professionals.
1. How does this research article compare to our practices, policy, and/or procedure.
ReplyDeleteThis article supports evidence that family caregivers need to manage the complex care of wound care. Our policies and procedure reinforce the crucial teaching given by Saint Joseph’s nurses to caregivers. Also, our policy stresses the importance of reviewing discharge instructions with patients and families. This type of teaching with the tools they need to manage their family member's health care at home avoids remission regarding wound care. The article in this new installment of the series provides simple and useful instructions that nurses should reinforce with family caregivers who perform wound care tasks
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendation on your unit and/or hospital.
Advantages of this article is that it includes patients from the community. The study mentioned different type of CAPIs being assessed. Interviews were scheduled to follow the process of wounds and family caregiver’s progress. The disadvantage is that participants were recruited between May and October of 2023 from the community. The study did not show linear progression. The study only lasted for 5 months, perhaps not enough time to collect enough data.
3. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
The method used by the author is a qualitative approach using field research.
4. Discuss the sample size used in the study.
17 older patients with pressure injuries were observed and 17 family caregiver were recruited.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteFamily caregivers of individuals with pressure injuries play a vital role in providing essential home care, including rehabilitation, nutrition, emotional support, and wound management. This study aims to explore caregivers’ experiences in managing pressure injuries and the various challenges they face. Many family caregivers struggle with limited knowledge, emotional strain, and insufficient support, which can negatively impact both their caregiving abilities and personal well-being, ultimately contributing to poorer patient outcomes.
How does this research article compare to our practice, policy and/or procedure?
In our healthcare setting, nurses have the knowledge and clinical skills to identify early signs of pressure injuries and implement appropriate treatment in collaboration with specialized resources, such as wound care nurses. We also have access to suitable wound care supplies and preventive devices. Upon discharge, nurses provide instructions on pressure injury care, and physicians may order home health services to ensure follow-up and ongoing support. Additionally, our SWAT team conducts in-patient skin prevalence studies, performs chart audits, and coaching to nurses on pressure injury prevention.
In contrast, the study highlights that many family caregivers lack the training and knowledge to identify early signs of pressure injuries. They often face barriers such as limited professional support and emotional strain. Notably, the study reported that in China, internet-based education was widely used for health promotion, helping to bridge some gaps in caregiver knowledge. While community health service centers are available to local residents, pressure injury care is often not addressed.
This comparison underscores the importance of comprehensive discharge teaching, access to appropriate resources, and ongoing education to better equip family caregivers for effective wound care management at home.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDescribe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteThe authors employed a qualitative descriptive design to gain a deeper understanding of family caregivers’ perceptions and challenges. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with caregivers who were actively providing care for older adults in Suzhou, China. This approach allowed the authors to explore subjective experiences, emotions, and coping mechanisms in detail. Responses were analyzed and the authors found that physical strain, emotional burden, financial challenges, and lack of institutional support were recurring themes amongst participants. By using this method, the authors were able to study the complex nature of caregiving and apply the data towards understanding the gaps in practice for individuals caring for a family member with pressure injuries.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study.
The central research problem was to explore and describe the lived experiences of family caregivers of older adults, with a focus on identifying the challenges they face and how they perceive their caregiving role. The authors were particularly interested in uncovering the stressors that impact caregiver well-being, such as emotional strain, fatigue, financial pressure, and limited access to support services. The study addressed the gap between the reliance on family caregivers in healthcare systems and the lack of systematic recognition and support for their needs. By framing caregiver challenges as a central issue, the authors call for healthcare practices and policies that balance the focus between patient outcomes and caregiver sustainability.
1) Describe the method used by the author of the study;
ReplyDeleteThe author conducted a qualitative research exploring family caregivers’ insights and challenge on caring their family member with pressure injuries at home in order to improve CAPI. They developed the 3 questions; the current situation of care by family caregivers for initial pressure injuries, gaps between actual care and professional expectations and the missed warning signs by the family. Purposive sampling was done to elect the 17 participants in a big city in China, such as the family caregivers taking care of the family member who developed the first pressure injury. All research members for observation and interviews took standardized training before the field work. Thus they collected on-site observation records and interviews for 6 months. After analyzing those collected data including coding per NVivo. 14, 8 themes were developed in food/feeding, hygiene, reposition, support system, medications and dressing in order to find the gaps between the actual care done by family caregivers and the recommended prevention and treatment by the guidelines.
2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
Although this research paper was conducted in an urban city of China, the statements from the interviews sounds familiar with the voices from the family caregivers in the U.S; for example, the family caregivers tend to decide based on their cost saving, time saving, and workload reduction, instead of the guidelines by healthcare professionals. Thus, the advantages are we can take actions from what we learn from the study applying it to our family caregivers who care patients at home for the better management. For example, if we know their misconceptions about care are common since the family caregivers are not professionally trained, we must be more supportive to them in a compassionate manner. While a family member is hospitalized, we can plan hands-on education showing the family caregivers about reposition and hygiene, which were pointed out as weak areas deviated from the standard of care in the paper. We can also make sure of referring a social worker for their needs of accessing equipment or services in their community.
Disadvantages might be our limited time for family caregivers; if patients are incontinent with frequent urination or stool and/or overweight, it’s very challenging even to find other nursing staffs to clean them since we don’t always have a nursing staff like PST/CNA currently.
ReplyDelete
1. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDelete- This study was done using qualitative methods, rather than quantitative and looked at how pressure injuries affect not only the patient but the caregiver. 17 older patients with pressure injuries were observed and 17 family caregivers were recruited. a qualitive design combining participant observation and in depth interviews was employed. field notes and interview data were analyzed using a three level coding approach.
2. Discuss the sample size.
- a total of 17 family caregivers aged 48-79 years were interviewed and observed. most had received at least six years of basic education, eight had been educated in primary school or lower level. five in junior high school, and four in senior high school. fourteen were female, including eight daughters, three wives, and two sons, one husband and three daughter in laws.
in addition to sample size, the caregivers who were included in this study were all chosen by participation or active involvement. The researchers made sure to chose wisely to include a wide variety of caregivers to interview. they wanted to make sure to include any one who had faced daily challenges in daily care
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. How does this research article compare to our practices, policy, and/or procedure.
ReplyDeleteIn this research article, the authors made a qualitative approach to family caregivers who managed pressure injuries of their loved ones at home settings. Community-acquired pressure injury (CAPI) is one of the most chronic health issues worldwide. First, the data collections were done by closely monitoring details of caring of wound treatment, and the interaction with the patients. Second, during the analysis phase the focus was on the documentation observed in how the wound or the skin was clean, the frequency, intensity and the skin cleaning supplies. A total of seventeen family caregivers with at least six years of basic education with low -to middle income were part of this study. The research showed several limitations due to the caregiver observation in how they manage wound treatment, and a conclusion could not be made based on these observations. At Saint Joseph Medical Center, the primary nurse is the one usually responsible for teaching family members and caregivers wound care treatment. Unfortunately, some caregivers who provided wound care for the first time do not feel ready to provide such care. Our policy is to ensure that caregivers understand the importance of providing proper wound care. These patients are vulnerable to be admitted to the hospital for unproper wound care that may lead to a worsen chronic problem.
2. What the advantage and disadvantage to the proposed recommendations in the article?
The advantage of this proposal is that the study was done in a rural area managed by the primary healthcare institution in China. As the article stated, many times rural areas are the most vulnerable communities for the lack of resources. But this community has the advantage of being under the primary healthcare institutions. Also, the researchers who participated in this study were very well experienced. The four research participants were in the nursing field with 3 to 10 years of experience. They were able to provide the proper teaching to the caregivers due to their expertise in the field. The disadvantage of this proposal was that the study was done at the home setting. The observations were done at a very intimate space from observing in how caregivers prepared food and feeding assistance, hygiene maintenance, reposition and the use of supportive devices, and medication applications. The disadvantage of being observed in an intimate atmosphere is that one way or the other affects the person’s performance. The article did not mention is this setting was part of the limitation.
1. How does this research article compare to our practices, policy, and/or procedure.
ReplyDeleteThe comparison between our healthcare setting and the study emphasizes the vital role of nurses and specialized resources in identifying and treating pressure injuries. In our facility, nurses collaborate with wound care specialists, access suitable supplies and devices, and provide discharge instructions on pressure injury care, supplemented by home health services as needed. Our SWAT team also contributes through skin prevalence studies and coaching on prevention strategies. In contrast, the study reveals that many family caregivers lack training and support, encountering barriers such as limited professional guidance and emotional strain. In China, internet-based education helps bridge knowledge gaps, though pressure injury care in community centers remains insufficiently addressed. This highlights the need for comprehensive discharge teaching, resource access, and ongoing education to empower caregivers in effective home wound care management.
2. Discuss the sample size.
Seventeen family caregivers, aged between 48 and 79, were interviewed and observed. Most had a minimum of six years of basic education: eight attended primary school or lower, five completed junior high school, and four reached senior high school. Among the caregivers, fourteen were female, consisting of eight daughters, three wives, two sons, one husband, and three daughters-in-law.
1.Discuss the sample size used in the study.
ReplyDeleteThe study included 17 patients with pressure injuries and 17 family caregivers, making a total of 34 participants. This sample size, though small, is appropriate for qualitative research because it allows for in-depth exploration of individual experiences, perceptions, and challenges in daily pressure injury care. The researchers achieved data saturation, meaning no new themes emerged from additional interviews, which indicates that the sample was sufficient to address the research questions. However, since the study was conducted at a single site and within a specific cultural context, the findings may have limited generalizability to broader populations of caregivers and patients.
2.Was the appropriate method used? Why or why not?
Yes, the qualitative method was appropriate for this study. It enabled the researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of family caregivers’ experiences, perceptions, and challenges in managing pressure injuries in daily life. By combining participant observation and in-depth interviews, the study captured both the practical and emotional aspects of caregiving. This approach provided comprehensive insights into real-world caregiving practices, including the gaps and discrepancies between what caregivers actually do and what clinical guidelines recommend. Additionally, the qualitative method allowed for the identification of themes and patterns that might not have been apparent through quantitative methods, making it well-suited for exploring complex human experiences in a healthcare context.
Hermine Tsaturyan
ReplyDelete1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
The main problem discussed in this study is how common pressure injuries are in home care settings. Pressure injuries that occur at home can severely impact older adult's quality of life especially if their family members and/or caregivers are unable to know how to properly manage these sores. This can lead to poor outcome and a delay in treatment. The study concentrates on the challenges and the under-supported role in pressure injury care at home for caregivers.
2. Discuss the sample size used in the study
The sample size of this research study consisted of tea total of 17 older patients who had pressure injuries along with 17 corresponding family caregivers. They were observed and interviewed using a qualitative study between June of 2023 and December of 2023. This focused study group allowed detailed exploration of real-life caregiver experiences, perceptions, and the challenges they faced. Some of the key points that the study concentrated on was emotional burden, knowledge gaps, and limitations of resources. The strength of the sample size allows the caregivers to fully describe experiences in their own words. Because the sample size of the group is so small it allows repeated observation and validation of themes.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in this study:
ReplyDeleteDiscussed in this article are the challenges of managing pressure injuries of patients provided by family caregivers. The lack of or limited knowledge and skills can potentially exacerbate the progression of pressure injuries. The inconsistences of care by family caregivers prevents them from recognizing early signs of pressure injuries that can affect the delay to seek medical treatments.
Describe the method used by the author in this study:
The method used in this study is a qualitative approach in Suzhou, China. In the data collection stage, a series of operational details of family are collected when caring for patients with pressure injuries which includes wound techniques and how they interact with patients. Then, during the data analysis phase, detailed analysis was documented based on the observation. Participants in the study were recruited from the community with higher older population. Participants had inclusion requirements which involved someone caring for the family for the first time, must be 18 years old and older, must be the primary caregiver for the patient, and must consent to participate.
what are the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the article recommendations on your unit and/or hospital?
ReplyDeleteImplementing the recommendations from the article has the potential to make a real difference in patient care. By providing caregivers with more training and support, patients are more likely to experience better outcomes, fewer complications, and smoother transitions after discharge. Caregivers would also feel more confident and prepared, which can reduce stress for both families and the healthcare team. At the same time, there are challenges to consider. Offering thorough education requires extra time and resources from staff, and not all caregivers have the same ability or comfort level with wound care. There is also the concern that mistakes at home could lead to setbacks or liability issues. On my unit, I think these recommendations would be especially helpful since many families struggle with wound care after leaving the hospital. The main barrier, however, is limited staffing, which makes it hard to spend as much one-on-one time as we would like. A realistic solution could be to pair nurse-led teaching with standardized resources (such as videos, handouts, or checklists) so caregivers get consistent information and support without adding too much extra burden on staff.
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeletehe article recommends improving caregiver education and increasing access to professional and community support. The advantages are that caregivers would be better able to identify early signs of pressure injuries, follow proper repositioning and hygiene practices, and feel more confident in providing care. This could prevent injuries from worsening, reduce hospital visits, and improve the quality of life for older adults. Another advantage is that community nurses and health centers could provide ongoing guidance and emotional support to families. The disadvantages are that training programs and community services require funding, staffing, and resources that may not always be available. In addition, some caregivers may find it difficult to change long-standing habits or may lack time and health literacy to fully use the recommendations.
2. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
The study used a qualitative design combining participant observation with semi-structured, in-home interviews in Suzhou, China. Researchers purposely recruited 17 primary family caregivers of older adults with first-time pressure injuries. Each caregiver had a 30–45-minute interview, and caregivers were observed for 2–3 hours during daily routines. Field notes, audio recordings, and photos were collected with consent. Transcripts and notes were coded in NVivo using an inductive thematic approach which includes open, axial, and selective coding. The study had ethics approval and followed the COREQ reporting checklist.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeletePressure injuries are prevalent in both the hospital and home setting, this article if following seventeen patients that have pressure injuries that reside in a home setting and are being cared for by family. Family members in the home setting play a vital role in the prevention and care of pressure injuries. It is discussed how first-time family caregivers may lack experience and overlook signs of pressure injury development. The article mentions that often the family caregivers relied heavily on the assessment and guidance of healthcare professions when a pressure injury occurred and consulted nurses for step by step instructions on how to care for a wound when one is discovered.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
This study consists of 17 older patients with pressure injuries and their families from June to December of 2023. The data collection consisted of both the observation method in the home setting and interview portions with the participants. Overall this sample size is very small and although this small sample size does allow for a closer observation into the 17 patients and caregivers in their home setting and routines in detail, it is small it may not be an accurate representation of this patient/caregiver population.
1. Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteIn this study, the researchers used the qualitative approach using the field research. In-depth semi-structured interviews and observation are used as complementary data collection.
During interviews, the researchers occasionally engaged in conversations or ask questions for clarification or if response is needed.
Observation method particularly participant observation allowed for the collection of non-verbal and situational data that could not determined with semi structured interviews.
2. Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
There are three limitations on this study. First, observation site were limited to one community due to financial constraints.
Second, this is a qualitative study, so quantitative conclusions cannot be made. Lastly, multiple researchers conduct the interviews and observation so it may have introduce variable data collection.
1. Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
ReplyDeleteThe article focused on exploring how family caregivers manage early-stage pressure injuries at home and the difficulties they encounter in this process. The main problem addressed was the gap between the actual care practices carried out by caregivers and the evidence-based guidelines recommended by healthcare professionals. The researchers aimed to understand the current caregiving approaches, highlight the warning signs and preventive measures that are often overlooked, and identify the challenges that hinder effective home-based pressure injury care. This research question is important because it sheds light on the real-world struggles of caregivers, providing insights that can inform targeted interventions and better support systems to improve patient outcomes.
2. Discuss the limitations of the article: limited sample size, design flaws, and/or author bias.
The article has several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings. First, the study was conducted in a single community in Suzhou, China, which restricts the generalizability of the results to other regions or cultural contexts. Second, the qualitative design, while valuable for providing in-depth insights, does not allow for quantitative generalizations or statistical analysis, limiting the ability to measure prevalence or broader trends. Additionally, the use of multiple researchers to conduct interviews and observations may have introduced variability in data collection despite efforts to maintain consistency through training and team discussions. Lastly, the study relied on a translated version of international pressure injury guidelines, which may not fully account for cultural nuances in caregiving practices. These limitations highlight the need for further research with larger and more diverse samples, as well as culturally tailored approaches, to strengthen the applicability of the findings.
1). What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe article’s recommendations offer several advantages, including improving early detection and prevention of pressure injuries, reducing their incidence and related costs, and ensuring continuity of care through community nurse support, home visits, and tele-consultation. They also provide emotional reassurance and practical guidance for caregivers, with accessible, tailored education materials such as case-based teaching, videos, and apps that match varying literacy levels. However, challenges exist: caregivers already face fatigue and heavy workloads, so added responsibilities like structured repositioning may increase stress; limited access to professional help, affordable devices, and consistent guidance can hinder implementation; and outcomes may vary across communities due to resource disparities. Furthermore, caregivers often revert to time-saving but risky practices, and some may lack the ability or willingness to follow complex routines, particularly elderly or less-educated family members. Overall, while the proposed strategies could significantly improve care, their effectiveness depends on systemic support, equitable resource distribution, and practical adaptation to caregivers’ real-life constraints.
2). Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study included 17 caregiver–patient pairs in Suzhou, China, with caregivers mostly middle-aged or older family members and patients aged 68–86 with varying stages of pressure injuries. This small sample size was appropriate for qualitative research, allowing in-depth observation and interviews, but the authors noted it limits generalizability beyond the local context.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
ReplyDeleteSeventeen patients with pressure injuries and seventeen family caregivers were recruited from June to December 2023 to be observed for the study. The participants were also selected from a higher proportion of older adults community. Although the sample size was quite small, the study was able to focus in on this select group and reflect on the challenges of initial care engagement, decision-making, and adaptation to caregiving responsibilities. The small sample size is not sufficient enough to represent the overall population of patients with pressure injuries and caregiver correlation.
Discuss the research question or main problem discussed in the study?
This study discussed how family caregivers play a vital role in managing pressure injuries of older adults. It was noted that caregivers are actively involved in the care process of pressure injuries but were limited by lack of proper knowledge. Although caregivers carry a strong sense of responsibility they are also limited by emotional burden and inadequate resources. Caregivers also fail to recognize early warning signs of deterioration which often lead to missed opportunities for timely intervention. Therefore it is essential to equip the caregiver with enhanced education and easier access to professional support.
Describe the method used by the author of the study.
ReplyDeleteA qualitative field research approach was employed, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of patients suffering from pressure injuries, alongside observational methods as supplementary data collection techniques. Conducted in Suzhou, China, the observational component enabled the capture of non-verbal cues and contextual dynamics that interviews alone could not fully reveal. To enrich the understanding of caregivers’ behaviors and decision-making processes, the study incorporated participant observation from the beginning.
Discuss the sample size used in the study.
A community characterized by a relatively high concentration of older adults—compared to other areas in the city—was intentionally chosen as the study site. Participant recruitment was subsequently carried out within this selected community. The small size allowed more in depth for qualitative research but the authors noted the limits of the study needing further analysis of lager group with more diverse participants.
1. Describe the method used by the author of the study
ReplyDeleteThe study was designed through a qualitative approach using field research by focused interviews and observation with family caregivers of patients with pressure injuries living in Suzhou, China. Participant observation was implemented to gain insight on caregivers' behaviors and their decision-making processes. By utilizing the observation method, nonverbal and situational data could be captured where interviews can not provide on its own. Data gathering occurred first, followed by data analysis to determine the results of the conducted study.
2. Discuss the sample size used in the study.
During the study, a total of 17 family caregivers of older patients with pressure injuries were interviewed. The caregivers were recruited between the months of May and October 2023 from a community setting through referrals from healthcare providers. A criteria was created to select the participants in the study. The participant 1, provides care for the patient with the pressure injury for the first time, 2, must be considered a primary caregiver, 3, aged 18 years or older, and 4, informed consent. To ensure the data was rich and diverse in experiences, the research team purposefully selected participants who could offer those perspectives and provide greater insight on the challenges of daily care.
1). What are the advantages and disadvantages to the proposed recommendations in the article?
ReplyDeleteThe article’s recommendations present several benefits, such as enhancing early detection and prevention of pressure injuries, lowering their incidence and associated costs, and promoting continuity of care through community nurse involvement, home visits, and tele-consultation. They also provide emotional support and practical resources for caregivers through tailored educational tools like case-based learning, videos, and mobile apps designed for varying literacy levels. However, challenges remain, as caregivers already experience fatigue and heavy workloads, meaning additional tasks such as structured repositioning may add stress; limited access to affordable equipment, professional guidance, and consistent support may hinder adoption; and disparities in community resources can lead to uneven outcomes. Moreover, some caregivers may revert to time-saving but unsafe practices, or lack the capacity or willingness to follow complex routines, especially among elderly or less-educated family members. Ultimately, while the strategies have strong potential to improve care, their success depends on adequate systemic support, fair resource distribution, and adaptation to the realities faced by caregivers.
2). Discuss the sample size used in the study.
The study examined 17 caregiver–patient pairs in Suzhou, China. Caregivers were mostly middle-aged or older family members, while patients ranged from 68 to 86 years old with varying stages of pressure injuries. Although the small sample size was appropriate for qualitative research and allowed for in-depth observation and interviews, the authors noted that it limits generalizability beyond the local context.
Valarie Renaux RN ICU 9/12/2025
ReplyDeleteDescribe the method used by the author of the study
This was a qualitative observational study in which family member/care-givers were were interviewed and observed doing care in the natural setting on their own. Occasionally, guidance and education would be provided when clarification was needed. The research was identifying coping strategies and resources within the family dynamic and found when families are better resourced and have better coping mechanisms, wound healing was more successful. Really, that is common sense. An inductive themetic analysis consisting of the following: 1) audio recorded interviews; 3) data interpretation; 3) summarizing and gaining further expert advice on data; 4) for axial coding analysis of caregiver influences such as emotions and interactions influenced families/caregivers; 5) researches created a core category in which results were determined by establishing relationships between categories; 6) After further examination subthemes were created allowing the core meaning to be highlighted.
How does this research article compare to our practice, policy and/or procedure?
The comparison I see with this is I too see better success in wound healing when there is a strong support system that include families receptive to guidance and education in daily dressing changes per the doctor's order. Additionally, the need for off-loading along with q 2 hour turns is a direct extension of wound prevention and or healing. Skin checks q shift and as needed along with ensuring offloading q 2 hours is a staple to wound care practices and our policy. As caregivers, we have support when our wound care team and policies. Anecdotally, I can recall seeing patient improvement in skin care regimens when patients returning back to the hospital show they are healing their wound or completely healed their wound.