Quality of life of caregivers during the hospitalization of the patient under care in an Emergency Unit: some associated factors

The purpose of this quantitative-descriptive study was to assess the quality of life of caregivers of patients hospitalized in emergency units of Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná. Tasks carried out by caregivers are significantly stressful and have a direct impact on their quality of life. From May to October 2011, 60 caregivers answered the WHOQOL-100 questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization. The majority of the interviewees were women (n = 47), with an average age of 43.2 years. Quality of life in general obtained an average score of 13.8. Results show that the quality of life of caregivers is vulnerable, which may affect their productivity. A sense of religiousness and spirituality, associated with a social-affective network are important resources to help them cope with the issues at hand.

Caregiver; Quality of life; Urgency and emergency