Gardiner, C. orcid.org/0000-0003-1785-7054, Allen, R., Moeke-Maxwell, T. et al. (2 more authors) (2016) Methodological considerations for researching the financial costs of family caregiving within a palliative care context. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 6 (4). pp. 445-451. ISSN 2045-435X
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The financial impact of family caregiving in a palliative care context has been identified as an issue which requires further research. However, little is known about how research should be conducted in this area. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of family caregivers in New Zealand regarding the need to conduct research relating to the financial costs of family caregiving and to explore their perspectives on acceptable and feasible methods of data collection. METHODS: A qualitative study design was adopted. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 family caregivers who were either currently caring for a person with palliative care needs or had done so in the past year. RESULTS: All participants felt that research relating to the costs of family caregiving within a palliative care context was important. There was little consensus regarding the most appropriate methods of data collection and administration. Online methods were preferred by many participants, although face-to-face methods were particularly favoured by Māori participants. Both questionnaires and cost diaries were felt to have strengths and weaknesses. CONCLUSIONS: Prospective longitudinal designs are likely to be most appropriate for future research, in order to capture variations in costs over time. The lack of consensus for a single preferred method makes it difficult to formulate specific recommendations regarding methods of data collection; providing participants with options for methods of completion may therefore be appropriate.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Limited. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | family caregiving; financial costs; informal caregiving; palliative care |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Nursing and Midwifery (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 04 May 2016 10:40 |
Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2017 05:59 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-001046 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | BMJ Publishing Group |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-001046 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:99270 |