Author(s)

Otti André^1,2,3*, Agbété Ida^1,2,3, Dossou Afiavi Julienne Estelle^2,3,4, Gaba Élisha Ayoko Nathalie Pulchérie^2,5, Adogony Larissa Zita^2,6, Idossou Affisou^2,3, Koutchonan Daniel^2,7, Adomou Harmonie Grâce de Dieu Cica^1,2,3, Hadékon Rodrigue^2,8, Okélèyè Falilath⁹, Misengabu Mamie¹⁰, Baba-Moussa Lamine¹¹, Agbodandé Kouessi Anthelme^12,13, Sossa Jérôme Charles¹⁴

¹Department of Nursing Sciences, National Medical-Sanitary Institute (INMeS), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou, Benin.
²Beninese Society of Nursing Sciences (SOBÉSI), Cotonou, Benin.
³Nursing and Obstetric Sciences Research Laboratory (LARSIO), INMeS/UAC, Cotonou, Benin.
⁴Department of Obstetric Sciences, National Medical and Health Institute (INMeS), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou, Benin.
⁵National Social Protection Agency (ANPS), Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance (MASM), Cotonou, Benin.
⁶Medical Department, Ouidah/Kpomassè/Tori-Bossito Zonal Hospital, Atlantic Departmental Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Cotonou, Benin.
⁷AÏDJÈDO Health Center, Littoral Departmental Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Cotonou, Benin.
⁸Department of Nursing Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery Training (IFSIO), University of Parakou (UP), Parakou, Benin.
⁹Training Institute for Nursing, Nursing Assistants and Ambulance Drivers at the Simone Veil Hospital Center, Blois, France.
¹⁰Non-Governmental Organization [NGO] “Home Palliative Care [HPC]”, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
¹¹Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
¹²Palliative Care Unit, University Clinic of Internal Medicine/Palliative Care, Hubert Koutoukou Maga National University Hospital (CNHU-HKM), Cotonou, Benin.
¹³National Palliative Care Program, Ministry of Health, Cotonou, Benin.
¹⁴Regional Institute of Public Health (IRSP) Comlan Alfred QUENUM, University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Ouidah, Benin.

Introduction: Palliative care requires an interdisciplinary approach and the involvement of the patient and their Caregiver in the care process. Objective: To assess the role of Caregiver in the care process of patients followed at the Palliative Care Unit of the CNHU-HKM in Cotonou. Method: A mixed descriptive design was adopted. Data were collected from Caregiver using a semi-structured self-questionnaire digitized with KoBoCollect version v2024.2.4 and inspired by the elements of the Malaboeuf model and from the Healthcare Staff using a semi-structured interview guide, all selected by non-probability random sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analyzed by thematic content analysis using the Braun & Clarke approach. Results: Sixty (60) Caregiver and nine (09) Healthcare Staff were included in the study. The main tasks performed by the Caregiver on their own initiative or on the instructions of the Healthcare Staff were hygiene and comfort care and assistance with the clinical and therapeutic monitoring of Palliative Patients. On the other hand, the prevention of pressure ulcers, a crucial care in a palliative context, seems to be little practiced by the Caregiver. They deplore the fact that the Healthcare Staff does not bother to know their identity, a factor in a good relational dynamic (weak functional relationship) and the lack of periodic interviews with them on the clinical evolution of the disease of their Palliative Patients (weak therapeutic support relationship). Furthermore, the level of education of the Caregiver and the obligation to respect professional confidentiality were the major obstacles limiting their involvement by the Healthcare Staff in the process of taking care of Palliative Patients. Discussion and Conclusion: The Caregiver play the role of substitutes for nurses and nursing assistants with palliative patients and are privileged interlocutors of the Healthcare Staff.

Caregivers, Palliative Patients, Palliative Care, CNHU-HKM, Benin

André, O. , Ida, A. , Estelle, D. , Pulchérie, G. , Zita, A. , Affisou, I. , Daniel, K. , Cica, A. , Rodrigue, H. , Falilath, O. , Mamie, M. , Lamine, B. , Anthelme, A. and Charles, S. (2025) The Role of Caregivers in the Management Process of Palliative Care Patients at a Leading University Hospital in Benin. Open Journal of Internal Medicine, 15, 377-402. doi: 10.4236/ojim.2025.154033.