SRFP112: Understanding the caregiver role and challenges in Sydney, Australia: a population based linked cohort study

Ben Harris-Roxas, PhD, BSW MPASR; A Y M Alamgir Kabir; Margo Barr, PhD, BSc, MPH

Abstract

Context: Caregiver comprise a significant portion of the Australian community. In 2015, almost 2.7 million Australians were identified as caregivers, and almost one-third (31.7%) of this group were identified as primary carers. Objective: To investigate the impact of being a caregiver on a person’s health and wellbeing compared to non-caregivers. Study Design: A record linkage study using questionnaire data linked with eight datasets. Dataset: 45 and Up Study, Medicare Benefit Scheme claims, hospitalizations and deaths datasets. Population Studied: 29,489 people in Central and Eastern Sydney aged over 45 were followed over an eight year period. Instrument: Analysis of caregivers and non-caregivers were described and compared. Characteristics of carers who were coping well compared to those who were not, using quality of life as the indicator, were also analysed. Outcome Measures: primary care use, hospitalizations and mortality. Results: Compared with non-caregivers, caregivers in CES were more likely to be: female, married, speak a language other than English, current smoker, engaging in adequate physical activity, have ever had anxiety, psychological distress, heart disease, self-rated poor quality of life and less likely to be older, have higher incomes, and need help with daily activities. Caregivers had higher rates of primary care use than non-caregivers [Adj. HR (95% CI): 1.21(1.13, 1.30)]. However, hospital admissions and mortality were not significantly different. Compared with caregivers who were not coping well, caregivers who were coping well, once adjusted for all of the other covariates, were more likely to self-report good quality of health, and less likely to have high psychological distress. Caregivers who were coping well were 24% less likely to be high primary care users [Adj. HR (95% CI): 0.76 (0.63, 0.94)] and had 33% lower mortality rates [Adj. HR (95% CI): 0.67 (0.51, 0.87)]. Hospital admissions were not significantly different. Expected Outcomes: This study’s finding that caregivers are well-engaged with primary care suggests that it is an important setting to: identify people in caring roles; identify caregivers who may be struggling in these roles; and delivering interventions for caregivers. This is particularly important for those who are not coping well.

Leave a Comment
Jack Westfall
jwestfall@aafp.org 11/21/2021

Terrific poster and presentation. Thanks for your work. Thanks for sharing at NAPCRG

Margo Barr
11/22/2021

Hi Jack, Thanks for your comment. A publication of the work should be out soon.

Gillian Bartlett
gillian.bartlett@health.missouri.edu 11/21/2021

the information on how people can go in and out of the carer role was very interesting - this is definitely a population that needs a lot more attention. I look forward to seeing more of your work in this area - great presentation and poster graphics.

Margo Barr
11/22/2021

Hi Gillian, Thanks for your comment. We are currently trying to understand the complexities of the changing carer role and if it differs if the people are full time carers or not.

William R. Phillips
wphllps@uw.edu 11/22/2021

Great poster on an important topic. Primary care research has a long history of studying the natural history of people, illness and community. This is a primo example.There is much more research for you to do with these data. I hope we will hear more about it at a future in NPCRG meeting. -Bill Phillips

Margo Barr
11/22/2021

Hi Bill, Yes the cohort is a great resource to look at a wide range of primary health care issues. We work closely with the local health authorities to identify research priorities using the resource: See link to last years report https://cphce.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/uploads/Research%20Forum%20Report_2020_0.pdf

Diane Harper
harperdi@med.umich.edu 11/22/2021

Please bring these results to Arizona next year! Thank you for sharing your work with NAPCRG!

Andy Pasternak
avpiv711@sbcglobal.net 11/27/2021

Really nice study- As anyone in primary care knows, caregivers are so critical in care and are often overlooked in research. Great work

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