Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Family caregivers have a vital role to play in palliative care for chronically ill patients. In Taiwan, caregiver demographics are evolving, with the number of male caregivers increasing. Gender differences influence psychosocial behaviours, thought processes and communication styles. In healthcare, acknowledgement of gender differences facilitates effective delivery of high-quality care.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore male caregivers\' decision-making process for palliative care for chronically ill family members.
METHODS: This study employed grounded theory to generate a substantive theory of male caregivers\' decision-making process for palliative care for chronically ill family members. We recruited 22 male participants from three inner-city teaching hospitals in Taiwan.
RESULTS: Regarding the decision-making process of palliative care of chronic ill family, where male caregivers do not want their loved ones suffering anymore, the male caregivers\' decision-making process was impacted, first, by caregivers\' views on the last stage of life; second, by their wish for good care during the end of life; and third, by their conviction that the patients\' wishes should be respected. Furthermore, caregivers\' philosophy of life and death is also a supportive ground for decision-making. This philosophy was influenced by their education in palliative care, financial status and religious beliefs and practices. The core category emerging from this study is encapsulated by a participant\'s assertion, \'How difficult is it? There are no male and female differences\'.
CONCLUSIONS: We found that palliative care experiences of male caregivers are important for the decision-making process for palliative care for their chronically ill family members. Caregivers want their loved ones to receive good care as the last step in life, to respect their wishes and no more suffering for the patient. Therefore, health professionals should be familiar with the palliative care process that caregivers go through to offer updated information when needed.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore male caregivers\' decision-making process for palliative care for chronically ill family members.
METHODS: This study employed grounded theory to generate a substantive theory of male caregivers\' decision-making process for palliative care for chronically ill family members. We recruited 22 male participants from three inner-city teaching hospitals in Taiwan.
RESULTS: Regarding the decision-making process of palliative care of chronic ill family, where male caregivers do not want their loved ones suffering anymore, the male caregivers\' decision-making process was impacted, first, by caregivers\' views on the last stage of life; second, by their wish for good care during the end of life; and third, by their conviction that the patients\' wishes should be respected. Furthermore, caregivers\' philosophy of life and death is also a supportive ground for decision-making. This philosophy was influenced by their education in palliative care, financial status and religious beliefs and practices. The core category emerging from this study is encapsulated by a participant\'s assertion, \'How difficult is it? There are no male and female differences\'.
CONCLUSIONS: We found that palliative care experiences of male caregivers are important for the decision-making process for palliative care for their chronically ill family members. Caregivers want their loved ones to receive good care as the last step in life, to respect their wishes and no more suffering for the patient. Therefore, health professionals should be familiar with the palliative care process that caregivers go through to offer updated information when needed.
摘要：
背景：家庭护理人员在慢性病患者的姑息治疗中起着至关重要的作用。在台湾,看护者的人口统计正在演变，随着男性护理人员数量的增加。性别差异影响社会心理行为，思维过程和沟通方式。在医疗保健方面，承认性别差异有助于有效提供高质量的护理。
目的：本研究的目的是探讨男性照顾者对慢性病患者家庭成员姑息治疗的决策过程。
方法：本研究采用基础理论，为长期患病的家庭成员提供姑息治疗的男性照顾者决策过程提供实质性理论。我们从台湾三家市内教学医院招募了22名男性参与者。
结果：关于慢性病家庭姑息治疗的决策过程，男性照顾者不想让他们的亲人再受苦，男性护理人员的决策过程受到影响，首先,护理人员对生命最后阶段的看法；第二，他们希望在生命的尽头得到良好的照顾；第三，他们坚信病人的愿望应该得到尊重。此外，照顾者的生死哲学也是决策的支持基础。这种哲学受到他们姑息治疗教育的影响，财务状况和宗教信仰和实践。这项研究中出现的核心类别是由参与者的断言封装的，\'有多难？没有男女差异\'。
结论：我们发现男性照顾者的姑息治疗经验对于其慢性病家庭成员姑息治疗的决策过程非常重要。照顾者希望他们所爱的人得到良好的照顾，这是生命中的最后一步，尊重他们的意愿，不再为病人带来痛苦。因此,卫生专业人员应熟悉姑息治疗过程，护理人员在需要时提供更新的信息。
目的：本研究的目的是探讨男性照顾者对慢性病患者家庭成员姑息治疗的决策过程。
方法：本研究采用基础理论，为长期患病的家庭成员提供姑息治疗的男性照顾者决策过程提供实质性理论。我们从台湾三家市内教学医院招募了22名男性参与者。
结果：关于慢性病家庭姑息治疗的决策过程，男性照顾者不想让他们的亲人再受苦，男性护理人员的决策过程受到影响，首先,护理人员对生命最后阶段的看法；第二，他们希望在生命的尽头得到良好的照顾；第三，他们坚信病人的愿望应该得到尊重。此外，照顾者的生死哲学也是决策的支持基础。这种哲学受到他们姑息治疗教育的影响，财务状况和宗教信仰和实践。这项研究中出现的核心类别是由参与者的断言封装的，\'有多难？没有男女差异\'。
结论：我们发现男性照顾者的姑息治疗经验对于其慢性病家庭成员姑息治疗的决策过程非常重要。照顾者希望他们所爱的人得到良好的照顾，这是生命中的最后一步，尊重他们的意愿，不再为病人带来痛苦。因此,卫生专业人员应熟悉姑息治疗过程，护理人员在需要时提供更新的信息。
