Carmen de la Cuesta-Benjumea

“Turning to One’s Own World” Escape Mechanisms Employed by Immigrant Caregivers in Spain for Relieving the Burden of Care

Purpose: Although past research has focused on the coping strategies of family caregivers, how immigrant caregivers cope with the demands of caregiving remains unknown. This study examines the strategies immigrant caregivers use to relieve the burden of care. Method: A qualitative study based on 17 immigrant women caregivers using purposive and snowball sampling was done. Semistructured interviews and testimonies were obtained and analyzed using grounded theory procedures. Findings: Turning to one’s world describes how caregivers seek relief from the burden of care. They escape virtually, go to a private place, make those they care for their own, and decide to go home. These mechanisms enable them to escape from the world of caregiving in which they find themselves. Discussion and Conclusions: Findings reveal the significance of family connections and networks for immigrants to achieve burden relief. Implications for Practice: The importance of promoting positive working environments and raising awareness about immigrant caregivers’ need for rest.

How women caregivers deal with their own long‐term illness: a qualitative study

AIM To explore the strategies used by women caregivers to deal with their own chronic health conditions. BACKGROUND Providing care has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of caregivers. When caregivers suffer chronic health problems, it increases the burden of caring, making them more vulnerable and less likely to look after their own health. DESIGN Qualitative study carried out between April 2010-December 2011. METHOD Thirty-nine women with long-term illness who care for dependent family members took part in the study, 23 in semi-structured interviews and 16 in two focus groups. The data were analysed using the grounded theory method. FINDINGS Women caregivers feel that they cannot let their own chronic health problems prevent them from caring for others. Dealing with their health problems enables them to provide the time and effort their family member requires. They do this by: (1) normalizing their chronic conditions; (2) neutralizing the effects of their long-term illness; and (3) forgetting that they are chronic sufferers. CONCLUSIONS This study analyses the strategies that family caregivers use to deal with their own chronic health problems, so that they can continue to provide family care. It shows that, to forget about their own illnesses, these women must take charge of them. Nurses need to recognize and value the strategies that caregivers use to deal with their own health problems. They also need to encourage them to use the most effective strategies, to improve their quality of life.

Research protocol: a synthesis of qualitative studies on the process of adaptation to dependency in elderly persons and their families

BackgroundDealing with dependency in the elderly and their families leads us to explore the life experience of those involved together with the processes of adaptation to this condition. A number of original studies have been published which, following a qualitative methodology, have dealt with both dimensions.Methods/DesignObjectives: 1) To present a synthesis of the qualitative evidence available on the process of adaptation to dependency in elderly persons and their families; 2) to conduct an in-depth study into the experiences and strategies developed by both to optimise their living conditions; 3) to enable standards of action/intervention to be developed in the caregiving environment.A synthesis of qualitative studies is projected with an extensive and inclusive bibliography search strategy. The primary search will focus on the major databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, PSICODOC, Cochrane Library, JBI, EMBASE, LILACS, CUIDEN, CUIDEN qualitative, CUIDATGE, British Nursing Index, SSCI). The secondary search will be conducted in articles taken from the references to studies identified in the articles and reports and the manual search in congresses and foundation papers. Article quality will be assessed by the guide proposed by Sandelowski & Barroso and data extraction done using the QARI data extraction form proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence-Based Practice.The synthesis of the findings will be based on the principles and procedures of grounded theory: coding, identification and relationship between categories, and synthesis using constant comparison as a strategy.DiscussionThis synthesis of qualitative evidence will enable us to detect health needs as perceived by the receivers in their own interaction contexts.

¿Por dónde empezar?: la pregunta en investigación cualitativa

A qualitative research question reflects the researchers paradigm and should be consistent with the proposed research method. A research question implies engaging in a process that defines the research area, subject, question, and place of the study. Because this process is interactive and changes during the course of the investigation, the beginnings are necessarily provisional. The qualitative research question is constructed, is central to the research process, and differs from what is commonly expected of a research question. Once formulated, the pertinence of the research question must be argued. Justifying a study does not imply an exhaustive literature review, but rather a selective one, by selecting the data that support the need for the study and the relevance of the research question. In practice, constructing a research question involves two phases: a first phase of intuitive reasoning and a second phase of theoretical and practical reasoning. A qualitative study can be prompted by distinct factors, common ones being personal experience, conversations with colleagues, lines of research, and the library.Resumen La pregunta de investigacion ha de ser congruente con la metodologia que se propone en un estudio y esta pregunta refleja el paradigma en el que el investigador esta situado. Hacer una pregunta cualitativa implica un proceso en el cual se determina el area, el tema de estudio, la pregunta y el lugar del estudio. Este proceso es interactivo y cambia a medida que se avanza, por ello los principios son necesariamente provisionales. La pregunta cualitativa es construida, central a todo el proceso de investigacion y contiene diferencias importantes con lo que comunmente se espera de una pregunta de investigacion. Una vez hecha, se debe desarrollar el problema, esto es, argumentar su pertinencia. La justificacion de un estudio cualitativo no consiste en hacer una revision bibliografica exhaustiva, sino que es selectiva; se escoge la informacion que razone que el estudio es necesario, la pregunta consecuente y pertinente. En la practica se puede decir que en la construccion de la pregunta de investigacion intervienen 2 fases: la de un razonamiento intuitivo, y la de un racionamiento practico y teorico. Un estudio cualitativo se puede iniciar por diversos lugares, son comunes la experiencia personal, la conversacion con colegas, las lineas de investigacion y la biblioteca.A qualitative research question reflects the researchers paradigm and should be consistent with the proposed research method. A research question implies engaging in a process that defines the research area, subject, question, and place of the study. Because this process is interactive and changes during the course of the investigation, the beginnings are necessarily provisional. The qualitative research question is constructed, is central to the research process, and differs from what is commonly expected of a research question. Once formulated, the pertinence of the research question must be argued. Justifying a study does not imply an exhaustive literature review, but rather a selective one, by selecting the data that support the need for the study and the relevance of the research question. In practice, constructing a research question involves two phases: a first phase of intuitive reasoning and a second phase of theoretical and practical reasoning. A qualitative study can be prompted by distinct factors, common ones being personal experience, conversations with colleagues, lines of research, and the library.

Cuidadoras inmigrantes: características del cuidado que prestan a la dependencia

Esta revision forma parte de un Estudio financiado por el Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo: “Cuidado familiar-Alivio de la carga en situaciones de vulnerabilidad: Mujeres cuidadoras de pacientes con demencia avanzada y mujeres inmigrantes que proporcionan cuidados familiares”. 2006.

Material world and social recognition: Nursing care in Spain (1855-1955)

Objective. This study sought to recognize the active and symbolic role played by the objects from the material world for nursing care in Spain between 1855 and 1955. Methodology. This was a historical study using grounded theory procedures. The information sources were eight handbooks for the training of caring professionals published in Spain, during the period of interest. The information was gathered from March 2012 to June 2013. During this period, the sources were fully revised and index cards with bibliographic information, description of instruments, and analysis were elaborated; methodological and analytic memoranda were written. Forty-five procedures and 360 material objects were registered. Results. The categories “principal and secondary objects” and “guarded objects” reveal the influence exerted by the objects from the material world for care. Conclusion. In Spain, between 1855 and 1955, nursing care was carried out within a scenario comprised of objects with secondary status and situated within the periphery of care, as well as by guarded objects that professionals could not use. This material world influenced the social recognition of professional caregivers at the time and the visibility of their work. Key words: history of nursing; working environment; social desirability.

La reflexividad: un asunto crítico en la investigación cualitativa

Reflexivity is an English term that Spanish speaking people have to assign a technical meaning. Reflexivity expresses the conscience of researchers conscience and refers to their connection with the studys situation. It is a process by which researchers step back to critically exam the effect they have on the study and the impact of their interactions with participants. The reflexive process is embedded in all research levels and is present in all the research phases, from the research question to fieldwork, from data analysis to writing the final report. Nevertheless, the question is not so much to engage in reflective activities but to be a reflexive researcher. Reflexivity is a human ability that is present during social interactions. For this reason it is present in qualitative research. A self inquirer can be addressed as it is constructed by the relationships and interactions that are established with study participants. Reflexivity has an educational character that continues after the study is completed.Reflexivity is an English term that Spanish speaking people have to assign a technical meaning. Reflexivity expresses the conscience of researchers conscience and refers to their connection with the studys situation. It is a process by which researchers step back to critically exam the effect they have on the study and the impact of their interactions with participants. The reflexive process is embedded in all research levels and is present in all the research phases, from the research question to fieldwork, from data analysis to writing the final report. Nevertheless, the question is not so much to engage in reflective activities but to be a reflexive researcher. Reflexivity is a human ability that is present during social interactions. For this reason it is present in qualitative research. A self inquirer can be addressed as it is constructed by the relationships and interactions that are established with study participants. Reflexivity has an educational character that continues after the study is completed.

To manage a complex dependency: The experience of caregiving after a fall

AIM To understand the experience of family members of an older relative who has had a fall which required medical attention. BACKGROUND There is abundant bibliography in caregiving, but little is known about the problems faced by caregivers and how family members cope when their older relative has a fall. DESIGN Qualitative study that used a symbolic interactionism perspective. METHODS Twenty-two people with older relatives, who had had a fall and contacted health services in Spain, participated in the study. Data were obtained via written accounts, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews between February 2014 - December 2015. Analysis was guided by grounded theory procedures. RESULTS With the fall, dependency becomes a complex issue for the family. To manage a complex dependency is the core issue that emerges from the data analysis. It depicts family efforts to assist their relative in gaining autonomy after a fall, in the best conditions they can provide. They do this with little guidance and support from healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS Guides and protocols for the care of a fragile older person, particularly after a fall, should not only include care but also support to caregivers. Health professionals and especially nurses need to be aware and respond to the family caregivers needs after a fall. To the fall prevention initiatives already in place, it must be added that those who support family members to cope with the care of an older person who has had a fall.

HEREDAR Y ADAPTAR: LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UN MUNDO MATERIAL-TECNOLÓGICO PARA LOS CUIDADOS EN SALUD EN ESPAÑA (1855-1955)

This historical study uses qualitative methods to analyze and describe the components of the material world of nursing care in Spain between 1855 and 1955 based on the analysis of eight nurse training manuals. A total of 360 objects and 45 procedures were recorded. Manual analysis was carried out concurrently with data collection based on the Grounded Theory approach. Findings show that the material world of health care was composed of objects that were handed down by the medical profession to health care professionals and adapted objects, improvised mainly out of everyday household items. While the handing down of medical tools and instruments could be said to be a theoretical and technical achievement, it is not clear whether it was also a scientific accomplishment. The improvisation of objects out of everyday household items promoted by the manuals highlights the artisan-like and ingenious nature of nursing practice, which should be explored further in future studies to provide a greater understanding and promote the recognition of these objects as a health care technology. DESCRIPTORS: Nursing history. Biomedical technology. Working environment. Qualitative research. Spain.

HERDAR E ADAPTAR: A CONSTRUÇÃO DE UM MUNDO MATERIAL-TECNOLÓGICO PARA OS CUIDADOS EM SAÚDE NA ESPANHA (1855-1955)

This historical study uses qualitative methods to analyze and describe the components of the material world of nursing care in Spain between 1855 and 1955 based on the analysis of eight nurse training manuals. A total of 360 objects and 45 procedures were recorded. Manual analysis was carried out concurrently with data collection based on the Grounded Theory approach. Findings show that the material world of health care was composed of objects that were handed down by the medical profession to health care professionals and adapted objects, improvised mainly out of everyday household items. While the handing down of medical tools and instruments could be said to be a theoretical and technical achievement, it is not clear whether it was also a scientific accomplishment. The improvisation of objects out of everyday household items promoted by the manuals highlights the artisan-like and ingenious nature of nursing practice, which should be explored further in future studies to provide a greater understanding and promote the recognition of these objects as a health care technology. DESCRIPTORS: Nursing history. Biomedical technology. Working environment. Qualitative research. Spain.