Caregivers of patients with chronic pain: responses to care.

PURPOSE To explore the caregiving role of nonprofessional caregivers of patients with chronic pain. METHOD Descriptive study of 30 caregivers. FINDINGS Twenty-eight (93%) caregivers demonstrated 1 to 6 defining characteristics of caregiver role strain, and 2 (7%) had at least two factors of risk for caregiver role strain. CONCLUSION Caring for patients with chronic pain has a meaningful impact on caregivers' lives. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Caregivers of patients with chronic pain deserve care, not only with the objective of optimizing relief for the patients, but also to help them seek and attain optimal functionality.

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