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. 2021 Mar 14;18(6):2964.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18062964.

Caring for Patients with Psychosis: Mental Health Professionals' Views on Informal Caregivers' Needs

Maria Moudatsou  1   2   3 , Sofia Koukouli  1   2 , Eleutheria Palioka  1 , Garyfalia Pattakou  1 , Panagiota Teleme  1 , Georgia Fasoi  2   4 , Evridiki Kaba  2   4 , Areti Stavropoulou  2   4
Affiliations

Caring for Patients with Psychosis: Mental Health Professionals' Views on Informal Caregivers' Needs

Maria Moudatsou et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the views of mental health professionals regarding the needs of the informal caregivers of patients with chronic psychotic syndrome. A qualitative research design was used. The sample consisted of 12 mental health professionals selected by a purposive sampling strategy. Data were collected through semistructured, face to face interviews. Framework analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and establish main themes and subthemes. Three main themes emerged namely, (i) impact of caring on caregivers' lives, (ii) caregivers' needs, and (iii) recommendations for better care. Informal caregivers' needs were conceptualized into subthemes within the main themes. Caregivers' increased responsibilities of caring for their relatives, the impact on their mental and physical health status and the restrictions in their social and professional life were revealed. Targeted health interventions and social policy planning are recommended for supporting informal caregivers and improving patient care.

Keywords: family; health needs; informal caregivers; mental health professionals; patients; psychotic syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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