만성질환자 주수발자의 삶의 경험

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of a main caregiver, in charge of a family member with a severe chronic disease. Methods: The participants of this study were 13 main caregivers, who have a family member with a severe chronic disease. The data were analyzed through the phenomenological research method. Results: This research concluded with: one core theme, five theme clusters and 13 themes. The one core theme was: `My Life is Not Mine.` The five theme clusters include: `The Dark Days Ahead, of What We Do,` `Serious Pressure,` `My Body is Broken (caregivers),` `Overcoming,` and finally `Endless, Long and Long tunnel.` Conclusion: We must emphasize to a main caregiver of a chronic disease patient, to the fact that their life should be theirs, not the patients. In addition, we need to be attentive of their well-being, as well as the chronic disease Patients, and sensitively responsive to their problems.