The Effectiveness of Nurse Home Visits in Improving Caregiving Skills and Reducing Family Burden among Post-Stroke Patients after Hospital Discharge

Abstract

Stroke patients who return home after hospitalization may continue to experience residual symUniversityoms that affect their daily activities, thereby requiring ongoing care from family members. However, families of post-stroke patients are often unprepared to provide care due to limited knowledge and caregiving skills, which may also lead to an increased caregiver burden. Inadequate caregiving skills and high caregiver burden can negatively affect the quality of care and the recovery of post-stroke patients at home. Therefore, continued post-hospital care through nurse-led home visits is necessary. This study aimed to examine the extent to which nurse-led home visits can improve caregiving skills and reduce caregiver burden among families of post-stroke patients, particularly in Bukittinggi and Agam. This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design conducted over a four-month period from February to August 2023. The study population consisted of families with post-stroke patients after hospital discharge. Samples were selected using convenience sampling at M. Hatta Brain Hospital, Bukittinggi, with a total of 56 respondents (28 in the intervention group and 28 in the control group). Caregiving skills were measured using a skills questionnaire [1], while caregiver burden was assessed using the Caregiving Burden Instrument [2]. Statistical analysis was performed using independent and paired t-tests. The home visit program was conducted over four months and included training, education, and counseling for family caregivers. The results showed significant differences in caregiving skills and caregiver burden between the intervention and control groups after four months (p < 0.001). Furthermore, home visits were proven to be effective in improving family caregiving skills and reducing caregiver burden among post-stroke families in the intervention group in the second and fourth months (p-values for skills: 0.015 and 0.000; p-values for burden: 0.000 and 0.001). It can be concluded that home-based caregiving skills can be improved and family caregiver burden can be reduced through nurse-led home visits conducted over a four-month period. Therefore, intensive and varied home visit methods by community nurses are strongly recommended for families of post-stroke patients after hospital discharge