Impact of tracheostomy or laryngectomy on spousal and caregiver relationships
Krouse, H.J.; Rudy, S.F.; Vallerand, A.H.; Hickey, M.M.; Klein, M.N.; Kagan, S.H.; Walizer, E.M.
Orl-Head and Neck Nursing Official Journal of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses 22(1): 10-25
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1064-3842 PMID: 14969125 Document Number: 571851
Caregiving is an important component in the management of patients with a tracheostomy or laryngectomy. The purpose of this integrative research literature review was to gain a better understanding of the impact of caregiving for adults and children with laryngectomy or tracheostomy on the patient, the family, and the caregiver. Patients who had undergone laryngectomy or tracheostomy included those with and without cancer. This integrated review of the literature on caregiving in this population demonstrates the dearth of studies on this subject. Despite the significance of the caregiving role, few studies have addressed caregiving, and those that have are primarily descriptive. Studies are needed that develop and test interventions to assist caregivers in adaptation to their role, identification of methods of decreasing caregiver burden and strain, and coordination of resources to support patients and caregivers of patients with tracheostomies and laryngectomies.