Caring for patients with end-stage renal disease during COVID-19 lockdown: What (additional) challenges to family caregivers?

Introduction Caring for a patient with end-stage renal disease undergoing in-centre haemodialysis can be a stressful experience, likely to involve significant burden. Within the context of the new coronavirus pandemic, these patients are highly vulnerable to infection by COVID-19, which might increase the care demands and burden of family caregivers. Aim This study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of family caregivers of non-COVID-19 patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing in-centre haemodialysis during the COVID-19 lockdown. Study design A qualitative study was performed with a purposive sample. Methods Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 19 family caregivers (50.7 ± 14 years old) of patients undergoing in-centre haemodialysis in April 2020. Findings Four major themes were identified: (1) emotional distress; (2) changes in caregiving responsibilities; (3) educational and supportive needs; and (4) coping strategies to deal with the outbreak and with the lockdown. Discussion The findings suggest that family caregivers of patients undergoing in-centre haemodialysis have to manage several additional care responsibilities due to COVID-19 lockdown. The dialysis team should consider the development of educational and supportive interventions to meet family caregivers' needs, mitigate emotional distress, fears and concerns, and prevent caregiver burden during the COVID-19 pandemic.