Journal: Health Question: Does Age Affect Myocardial Infarctions (MI) Patients’ Survival?
Precious Teasley
Southern New Hampshire University
IHP-525-Q3469 Biostatistics 24TW3
Professor Cecilia Younger
April 11, 2024
Journal: Health Question: Does Age Affect Myocardial Infarctions (MI) Patients’ Survival?
Background
A person’s existence determines their life expectancy. Nurses and healthcare providers should pay attention to the age-related health gap because it centers around the population sector that is most vulnerable to the health divide. Biostatistics applies survival data to investigate MI patients, identify patterns, and then quantify the age-survival relationship after MI. Recently, researchers have expanded these studies to explore the impact of caregiver support, revealing its crucial role in the complete recovery and survival of MI patients.
Article Selection
Grunfeld’s (2004) and Reblin et al.’s (2016) studies are critical for being methodologically rigorous and locating the psychosocial, occupational, and economic consequences of caregiving in patients with chronic conditions. The insights and perspectives shed light on broader implications for care systems and survivorship outcomes.
Findings
Grunfeld (2004), in depth, represents the longitudinal burden of caregivers supporting patients with advanced diseases, especially breast cancer. The findings of the study shed light on the social and economic difficulties that caregivers face. Therefore, caregivers play a significant role in the healthcare chain, providing patient care that affects their survival.
Reblin et al. (2016) considers caregiver-patient relationships in home hospice, focusing mostly on spouse-caregiver relationships. This research has shown, among other things, how important the quality of relationships can be in relieving caregiver burden and stress, which further emphasizes the value of emotional and social support for patients receiving care, as well as the link with general wellbeing and positive outcomes.
Methods
The observational study designs employed in both of the articles capture a whole picture of the caregiving experience, including economic impacts and relationship dynamics. Grunfeld (2004) takes a longitudinal approach, which entails following the caregiver step-by-step with the patient to the final stage. Reblin et al. (2016) measured relationship qualities at the entry to hospice care and gained insight into the impact of that moment on caregiver burden and distress.
Conclusions
The research by Gruenfeld (2004) and Reblin et al. (2016) confirms the fact that the role of caregivers in the patient care system, especially for those who are suffering from chronic and terminal conditions, is vital. The stress that family caregivers deal with, such as physical, psychological, and economic problems, not only affects them but also influences the patient’s survival and quality of life. These conclusions are responsible for the overall approach to treating a patient, which includes caregiver support. Therefore, there is a need for healthcare systems to develop targeted interventions that address caregiver challenges and promote positive caregiver-patient relationships.
References
Grunfeld, E. (2004). Family caregiver burden: Results of a longitudinal study of breast cancer patients and their principal caregivers.
Canadian Medical Association Journal,
170(12), 1795–1801.
https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.1031205
Reblin, M., Donaldson, G., Ellington, L., Mooney, K., Caserta, M., & Lund, D. (2016). Spouse cancer caregivers’ burden and distress at entry to Home Hospice.
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships,
33(5), 666–686.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407515588220
