Caregiver role strain: validation of nursing diagnosis and implementation of a care plan.
Keywords: Caregiver Burden; Caregivers; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Validation Study; Implementation Science; Nursing Diagnosis; Nursing.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease commonly prevalent
among adults. It emerges suddenly, presenting progressive, degenerative, and fatal
characteristics due to irreversible changes. Because ALS leads to paresis and paralysis,
patients experience a complete loss of functional independence, which profoundly alters
their lives and places an intense caregiving burden on family members who take on the
responsibility of fully supporting a dependent person. The physical and mental
complications of caregiving, with varying degrees of complexity, significantly impact
the health of caregivers, leading to long-term strain in fulfilling this role—a condition
known as Caregiver Role Strain (CRS). This study aims to validate the nursing
diagnosis of Caregiver Role Strain in caregivers of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis and to implement a nursing care plan within a healthcare setting. This mixed-
methods study will validate the Caregiver Role Strain diagnosis as adapted by the model
proposed by Lopes and Silva (2022) and implement a care plan based on
implementation science, aligned with the CFIR conceptual model. The research will be
conducted in six stages: situational diagnosis, protocol development, protocol
implementation, assessment of barriers and facilitators, protocol monitoring, and
protocol review. The situational diagnosis stage will be conducted in two steps: (1)
administering a structured questionnaire and (2) context analysis. The protocol
development phase will focus on content validation for the Caregiver Role Strain
nursing diagnosis and the formulation of a care plan. Protocol implementation will
involve the training and sensitization of healthcare professionals, along with clinical
validation of the nursing diagnosis. This study will follow the guidelines of Resolution
No. 466/12, approved by the National Health Council of the Ministry of Health, and
will be reviewed by the Ethics Committee in Research of Onofre Lopes University
Hospital. The study findings are expected to contribute new insights to the clinical
reasoning and critical judgment processes of nurses in supporting caregivers affected by
Caregiver Role Strain, thereby supporting the creation of nursing care plans that
promote comprehensive and effective care.