Introduction:

Developing the caregiver's ability to care for a patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis requires an adaptation process, in which psychoeducational interventions are important strategies.

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of a psychoeducational intervention on the caregiver's ability to care for the patient.

Material and Method:

This quasi-experimental pre-post design study involved a single group of 40 caregivers of peritoneal dialysis patients. Caregiving, coping, and adaptation abilities were analyzed pre- and post-intervention using the Caregiving Ability Inventory and the Coping and Adaptation Scale. The intervention consisted of a structured program on strategies to improve coping, role adaptation, and the development of new skills by the caregiver, carried out by a multidisciplinary team. Gender, age, marital status, occupation, relationship to the patient, time spent on recreation, and time spent on caregiving were also studied.

Results:

The caregiver was mainly a woman (80%, n=32), 47,5% (n=19) were dedicated to the home, and 62,5% were married. Differences before and after the intervention in general ability (211,03 + 36,30 vs 230,60 + 16,72, p<0,001), and in the overall coping and adaptation ability (129,32 + 12,55 vs 136,70 + 16,28, p=<0,008) were found.

Conclusion:

Psychoeducational intervention increases general care skills and coping and adaptation mechanisms in caregivers of patients on peritoneal dialysis.