ABSTRACT
Background
Caregivers face numerous physical and emotional challenges when providing care to people suffering from life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. The study aimed to explore caregivers’ experiences in providing care for terminally ill cancer patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Method
A phenomenological study design was conducted among caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI). A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 10 participants. An in-depth interview method was used to collect the data. A semi-structured interview guide with an audio recorder was used to collect the information from the participants. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis approach.
Findings
The three themes were challenges in caring for patients, availability of social support, and coping strategies. Physical exhaustion and burnout, emotional distress and reduced social interaction were the challenges in caring for patients described by participants during the caring process. Family member support, community support and religious support were the available support systems that facilitated caregivers to care for the patients. However, adopting self-distraction towards patient behaviour, acquiring and using practical skills and following professional guidance were the individual coping strategies used by participants in caring for terminally ill cancer patients.
Conclusion
Study findings highlight the fundamental role of caregivers in the care, and illuminate the neglected physical, psychological and social challenges they face amidst health system tensions and conflicting roles. The needs of caregivers should be embedded within cancer care, prevention and control programs, particularly in low-resource settings.