Care of Invisible Patients: Oncology Nursing

Abstract

“Care giving love begins by taking care of the closest ones-the ones at home.” Mother Teresa. According the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, in 2018. The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals, families, communities, and health systems. Due to increased incidence of disease and limitation in accessibility of health care services, families need to play a critical role in taking care of the patients, and they are considered as the primary source of patients’ caregivers. Long-term care to these patients increases caregivers’ burden and deteriorates their physical and mental health. Possibly it may result in increased stress among caregivers and even lead to reduced patient care, in view of that the patient’s primary caregivers are called as invisible patients, care of invisible patients also equally plays a very important role in prevention of disease and promotion of health. In this article we discuss about care givers problems and care of care givers.