BACKGROUND Family caregivers of patients at the end of life often experience care-related burden. To prevent caregiver burden and to enhance the capacity to provide care it is important to have insight in their support needs. The purpose of this study was to identify profiles of family caregivers who provide care to patients at the end of life at home. METHODS A Q-methodological study was conducted in which family caregivers ranked 40 statements on support needs and experiences with caregiving. Thereafter they explained their ranking in an interview. By-person factor analysis was used to analyse the rankings and qualitative data was used to support the choice of profiles. A set of 41 family caregivers with a variety on background characteristics who currently or recently provided care for someone at the end of life at home were included. RESULTS Four distinct profiles were identified; profile (1) those who want appreciation and an assigned contact person; profile (2) was bipolar. The positive pole (2+) comprised those who have supportive relationships and the negative pole (2-) those who wish for supportive relationships; profile (3) those who want information and practical support, and profile (4) those who need time off. The profiles reflect different support needs and experiences with caregiving. CONCLUSIONS Family caregivers of patients at the end of life have varying support needs and one size does not fit all. The profiles are relevant for healthcare professionals and volunteers in palliative care as they provide an overview of the main support needs among family caregivers of patients near the end of life. This knowledge could help healthcare professionals giving support.

中文翻译：

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患者在家中临终时的家庭看护者档案：有关家庭看护者支持需求的Q方法研究。

背景技术患者生命尽头的家庭护理人员经常会遇到与护理相关的负担。为了防止护理人员负担并增强提供护理的能力，重要的是要了解他们的支持需求。这项研究的目的是确定在家庭寿命终了时为患者提供护理的家庭护理人员的概况。方法进行了Q方法学研究，其中家庭护理员对40项关于支持需求和护理经验的陈述进行了排名。之后，他们在采访中解释了自己的排名。使用个人因素分析来分析排名，并使用定性数据来支持配置文件的选择。包括一组41位具有不同背景特征的家庭护理人员，他们目前或最近在家里为临终者提供护理。结果确定了四个不同的特征。简介（1）想要感谢的人和指定的联系人；轮廓（2）是双极的。正极（2+）由那些有支持关系的人组成，负极（2-）由那些希望有支持关系的人组成。简介（3）那些需要信息和实践支持的人，以及简介（4）那些需要休息的人。简介反映了不同的支持需求和护理经验。结论生命尽头的患者家庭护理人员的支持需求各不相同，而且一个人的规模并不适合所有人。这些简介与医疗专业人员和姑息治疗志愿者有关，因为它们概述了生命快要结束时患者的家庭护理人员的主要支持需求。这些知识可以帮助医疗保健专业人员提供支持。