Family and paid caregivers of hospitalized patients in Korea

Abstract

Aim: To examine patient need for family and paid caregivers during hospitalization and determine factors related to caregiver use and the economic burden for paid caregivers.

Background: Provision of nursing care is influenced by the characteristics of the society and its health care system. An influencing factor in Korea is the involvement of family caregivers in inpatient care. Korean society has preserved the strong tradition of family bonds and filial responsibility for caregiving. However, the ability of Korean families to assist hospitalized family members has decreased as the society becomes more industrialized.

Design: A cross-sectional study design was used, employing data from the Seoul Citizens' Health Survey, a community-based interview survey with 3,203 inpatients in Seoul, conducted in 2001.

Methods: Distributions of caregivers and related factors were explored by employing univariate comparisons and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: During hospitalization, 87% of patients needed caregivers. A greater need for caregivers was found in children, women giving birth and patients with disability, longer length of stay and discharge from general hospitals. Family members were the primary caregivers while 3% of inpatients used private paid caregivers. Having paid caregivers was associated with being female, older, high household income, disability, longer stay and discharge from general hospitals. The average daily expense for paid caregiver was 38.5 US dollars (USD) and 73% of patients perceived it as burdensome.

Conclusions: The demonstrated need for caregivers may suggest that patients rely on family and paid caregivers in receiving assistance and care during hospitalization. Therefore, implementation of policies to relieve the burden of caregivers is necessary at both institutional and national levels. Nursing services need to be redesigned in response to changing needs and expectations of patients and their family members.