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Huntington disease: families’ experiences of healthcare services
Author(s) -
Skirton Heather,
Williams Janet K.,
Jackson Barnette J.,
Paulsen Jane S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05217.x
Subject(s) - huntington's disease , disease , health care , medicine , nursing , family member , family medicine , health professionals , scale (ratio) , psychology , gerontology , physics , pathology , quantum mechanics , economics , economic growth
skirton h., williams j.k., barnette j.j. & paulsen j.s. (2010) Huntington disease: families’ experiences of healthcare services. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66 (3), 500–510. Abstract Aim. This paper is a report of a study of the perceptions of family caregivers regarding the availability and adequacy of health and social care services for their family member with Huntington disease, and to compare findings from these reports in United Kingdom and United States of America samples. Background. Huntington disease is an inherited neurodegenerative condition. Family members often take responsibility for care of relatives with long‐term conditions. Studies have demonstrated there are both positive and negative outcomes for carers. Methods. During 2006 and 2007, respondents from the United Kingdom ( n = 108) and the United States ( n = 119) who were caring for a relative affected with Huntington disease completed the Community Health Care Services Scale to identify areas of concern and the extent to which specific issues bothered carers. Data were analysed using statistical tests including chi‐square, t ‐tests and factor analysis. Results were compared between carers in the two cohorts. Results. Three main factors were derived: ‘community resources’, ‘individualized care’ and ‘knowledge of Huntington disease’. Carers had concerns about the knowledge of healthcare professionals providing care and thought that there were insufficient services to support them and the affected person. There were different challenges for carers when the affected person had a long‐term neurodegenerative condition because these carers were also likely to have responsibilities for earning and caring for children. Conclusion. Comprehensive facilities and resources are needed to support families affected by long‐term complex conditions. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the health needs of carers as well as those of the affected person.