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. 2024 Sep 26:18:26323524241272103.
doi: 10.1177/26323524241272103. eCollection 2024.

How to support caregivers in general practice: development of the Caregiver Care Model

Anna Mygind  1 , Sara Marie Hebsgaard Offersen  2 , Mai-Britt Guldin  3 , Kaj S Christensen  3   4 , Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen  3
Affiliations

How to support caregivers in general practice: development of the Caregiver Care Model

Anna Mygind et al. Palliat Care Soc Pract. .

Abstract

Background: Caring for a family member can be demanding, particularly when caregivers experience profound distress. Supportive interventions may help prevent mental and physical illness in the caregiver. General practice plays a key role by regularly engaging with patients and caregivers, thereby being able to identify their support needs, offer talk therapy and refer to care initiatives.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and pilot-test the Caregiver Care Model to mitigate grief reactions among caregivers in general practice.

Design: A participatory intervention development study.

Methods: A prototype was developed in a workshop with healthcare professionals. The prototype was refined based on a pilot-test among 40 caregivers from 5 general practice clinics and a workshop with general practitioners. The data were obtained from workshops, feedback questionnaires completed by healthcare professionals, and interviews with caregivers and general practitioners. The analysis focused on model development and mechanisms of impact.

Results: The prototype was refined by focusing the dialogue questionnaire, minimising the grief facilitation tools and expanding the target group. The prototype seemed to accommodate the needs among caregivers by acknowledging their situation. The final model includes up to seven caregiver consultations in general practice. A dialogue questionnaire filled in by the caregiver serves as a fixed starting point and preparation for the first consultation. If needed, talk therapy in general practice or referrals to other services are used.

Conclusion: The model offers promising support for caregivers. Its flexible structure allows for customisation. The viability of the model should be further tested.

Keywords: caregivers; general practice; grief; mental health; palliative care; primary care; psychosocial intervention; qualitative research.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Development steps of the Caregiver Care Model.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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