Competence to care in the home and burden in the caregiver of the child with cancer

Family caregivers of children with cancer face a new role in caring at home, which requires them to be competent. The complexity of child care can generate burden. Objective: Describe the level of homecare competency and the burden in family caregivers of children with cancer, and establish whether there is a relationship between the 2 variables. Materials and methods: A descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted using questionnaires to assess sociodemographic data (GCPF-UN-D), homecare competency (CUIDAR-GCPC-UN-CPC), and burden in the caregiver (Zarit burden interview). The sample consisted of 118 family caregivers of children with cancer. Descriptive statistics and Spearman Rho coefficient were used. Informed consent was given. Results: Average levels of homecare competency and absence of burden were found in the majority of caregivers. There were weak correlations (P<.05) between the homecare competency -dimension of anticipation and caregiver burden. Conclusion: The family caregiver of children with cancer needs to be prepared to provide care at home. It is advisable to conduct studies to expand what is known of caregiver burden of children with cancer and their measurement. (C) 2016 Sociedad Mexicana de Oncologia.