Cuidador da pessoa com gastrostomia: Resultados preliminares sobre a tomada de decisão no cuidado à ostomia

Abstract

Introduction: The (self-)care competence of the gastrostomy is organised in six domains: knowledge, self-monitoring, interpretation, decision-making, execution, and use of health resources. The performance indicators in the decision-making domain integrate the ability of the carer in making decisions and recognising their implications. Objectives: Describe decision-making of the carers of people with gastrostomy and assess whether there is a link between the “decision-making” variable and the “time since ostomy” and “educational level” variables. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study that used a sample of 74 carers. The form “Development of the (self-)care competence of the person with a gastrostomy and his/her carer” (under validation) was used. A Likert scale (ranging between 0 and 5 points), was used to assess the decision-making domain. The answers range between 0 (does not apply) and 5 (fully demonstrates), including four assessment items. The comparison of the means was performed using the Student’s t-test (unpaired samples) and the one-way ANOVA test. Results: The participants showed they were able to make partial decisions regarding the care of gastrostomy. In terms of educational level, there were no statistically significant differences visible. The statistically significant differences are visible in relation to the time since ostomy, with a higher mean in the carers who have performed this role for less than a year. Conclusions: More robust nursing intervention programmes are needed, which should be implemented in the long-term, focusing on the promotion of the carer’s ability to make decisions.