Burden of the informal primary caregiver of the chronic complex patient and chronic advanced patient in two emergency primary care centres in the province of Barcelona

OBJECTIVE. To determine the degree of burden of informal primary caregiver (IPC) of patients identified as chronic complex patient (CCP) and chronic advanced patient (CAP), assisted in two emergency primary care centres (EPCC) in the province of Barcelona. METHODOLOGY. Cross-sectional, prospective, observational, descriptive exploratory type from November 2015 to December 2016 study. Sample consisting of 271 IPC in EPCC Cerdanyola /Ripollet and the EPCC St. Felix de Sabadell (Barcelona). To measure the burden of IPC, data were obtained by Zarit Burden Inventory and descriptive information about the IPC and careful person. RESULTS. Kinship of the IPC: 36.5% (n = 99) couple, 57.6% (n = 156) children, 3% (n = 8) brothers, 1.1% (n = 3) grandchildren, other caregivers (friends, neighbours, ...) 1.8% (n = 5). Sex of the IPC: 53% (n = 144) women and 47% (n = 127) men. Average age of the IPC: <70 years 19% (n = 52), 71-85 years 61,4% (n = 166), >85 years 19.6% (n = 53). The CCP/CAP average age was 81 years old. The Zarit Burden Inventory results were: average 54 [40-65], presenting an intense load 43% in the IPC (values > 56 points). The Barthel Index results were: average 69 in CCP and average 54 in CAP, presenting a severe dependence (24.2%) in the CCP/CAP (values between 21-60). CONCLUSIONS. The study has evaluated the IPC charge with Zarit Burden Inventory on the CCP/CAP in order to incorporate an educational program that positively impact on their care, improve the assistance received, and reduce the use of health services and get decrease the degree of load and the perceived lack of social support of the IPC.