Exploring Caregiver Definitions and Functions in Peritoneal Dialysis: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background Caregivers are vital in peritoneal dialysis (PD) care, with the understanding and classification of PD self‐care tasks crucial in defining caregiver roles. Due to inconsistencies in the existing literature, we conducted a systematic exploration of the variations surrounding the term ‘caregiver’ in PD studies. Methods We conducted a thorough systematic search using PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for English‐language studies relevant to caregiver support for PD patients up to June 2, 2023. Our analysis focused on word choices, definitions, caregiver identities, and their associated functions. Results Out of 4130 potential studies, 468 articles were screened, of which 177 met the criteria. These studies involved 102,180 patients across 38 countries. “Caregiver(s)” was used in 88.7% of studies, “carer(s)” in 15.3%, and other terms in 11.3%. Multiple terms were found in 15.3% of studies. However, only 8.5% provided explicit definitions. Caregiving roles were referenced in 53.7% of studies, primarily identifying parents (38.4%), spouses (33.9%), other family members (33.9%), descendants (31.1%), nonrelative nonhealthcare workers (21.5%), friends (15.8%), and healthcare workers (14.1%). Functions were delineated in 38.4% of studies, with PD‐specific tasks in 33.3%, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in 9.0%, and basic ADLs in 7.3%. Conclusions Our findings reveal a wide variability in the definition and scope of PD caregivers across studies. To facilitate accurate assessment of PD caregiver impact and inform policy development, we advocate for consistent definitions and detailed functional descriptions within the field.