Caregiving Preparedness and Caregiver Burden in Omani Family Caregivers for Patients with Acquired Brain Injury

Objective: To explore the caregiving preparedness and burden among Omani family caregivers (FCs) of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Methods: A prospective observational design was used to collect data from 119 FCs their at time discharge hospital 16 weeks post-discharge during follow up-care in neurology clinic. The questionnaire comprised Zarit Burden Index, Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, SF-12 General Health Survey, a patient symptom scale. Results: were predominantly female (55.5%), mean age 38.27 ± 9.11 years. Most had moderate severe ABI (95.8%) due stroke (56.3%) trauma (30.3%). most common symptoms loss muscle strength, speech problems, mood memory loss, change behavior. low (58%) discharge, 19.1% high level post-discharge. length post-injury (p < 0.01), severity FCs’ physical mental health status 0.01) significant predictors preparedness. caregiver caregivers’ = 0.028). Conclusion: commence role inadequate preparation, shortly number suffer burden. Interventions focusing on caregiver’s training management may enhance outcomes patients.
 Keywords: Acquired injury; Caregiving; preparedness; Caregiver burden; Family caregivers; Rehabilitation; Traumatic Oman.