Wong, Ting-HwayTan, Timothy Xin ZhongLoo, Lynette MaChua, Wei ChongIau, Philip Tsau ChoongAng, Arron Seng HockGoo, Jerry Tiong ThyeChan, Kim ChaiNguyen, Hai VNadkarni, Nivedita VMatchar, David BruceSeow, Dennis Chuen ChaiNg, Yee SienChan, AngeliqueFook-Chong, StephanieTang, Tjun YipOng, Marcus Eng HockMalhotra, RahulSung, Wen-Wei2022-11-232022-11-232022-011932-62031932-6203https://hdl.handle.net/10161/26234<h4>Objectives</h4>Family caregivers play a fundamental role in the care of the older blunt trauma patient. We aim to identify risk factors for negative and positive experiences of caregiving among family caregivers.<h4>Design</h4>Prospective, nationwide, multi-center cohort study.<h4>Setting and participants</h4>110 family caregivers of Singaporeans aged≥55 admitted for unintentional blunt trauma with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) or New Injury Severity Score (NISS)≥10 were assessed for caregiving-related negative (disturbed schedule and poor health, lack of family support, lack of finances) and positive (esteem) experiences using the modified-Caregiver Reaction Assessment (m-CRA) three months post-injury.<h4>Methods</h4>The association between caregiver and patient factors, and the four m-CRA domains were evaluated via linear regression.<h4>Results</h4>Caregivers of retired patients and caregivers of functionally dependent patients (post-injury Barthel score <80) reported a worse experience in terms of disturbed schedule and poor health (β-coefficient 0.42 [95% Confidence Interval 0.10, 0.75], p = .01; 0.77 [0.33, 1.21], p = .001), while male caregivers and caregivers who had more people in the household reported a better experience (-0.39 [-0.73, -0.06], p = .02; -0.16 [-0.25, -0.07], p = .001). Caregivers of male patients, retired patients, and patients living in lower socioeconomic housing were more likely to experience lack of family support (0.28, [0.03, -0.53], p = .03; 0.26, [0.01, 0.52], p = .05; 0.34, [0.05, -0.66], p = .02). In the context of lack of finances, caregivers of male patients and caregivers of functionally dependent patients reported higher financial strain (0.74 [0.31, 1.17], p = .001; 0.84 [0.26, 1.43], p = .01). Finally, caregivers of male patients reported higher caregiver esteem (0.36 [0.15, 0.57], p = .001).<h4>Conclusions and implications</h4>Negative and positive experiences of caregiving among caregivers of older blunt trauma patients are associated with pre-injury disability and certain patient and caregiver demographics. These factors should be considered when planning the post-discharge support of older blunt trauma patients.HumansWounds, NonpenetratingAftercarePatient DischargeCohort StudiesProspective StudiesFamilyCaregiversMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesJournal article2022-11-23