Post-CABG Care at Home: A Qualitative Study of Family Caregiver Challenges in a Resource Limited Context

Introduction: Effective home care is critical to preventing complications and promoting recovery after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery. In low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan, limited professional home care services place the responsibility for post-CABG care largely on family caregivers (FCGs), often without training or support. Understanding their challenges is essential for improving recovery outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by FCGs in providing post-CABG care at home after hospital discharge. Methods: This qualitative exploratory descriptive study included 19 FCGs of Post-CABG patients, purposively recruited from cardiac outpatient department in a public hospital in Pakistan. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Creswell's content analysis. Results: Six categories emerged: learning curve and adaptation, lack of information and guidance, physical and emotional strain, financial strain, hospital and healthcare challenges, and family support. FCGs felt unprepared for managing diet, wound care, and pain, while reporting fatigue, emotional distress, and high costs. Though family support offered some relief, gaps in medical support, communication barriers, and difficulties with follow-up intensified their burden. Conclusion: FCGs of post-CABG patients in Pakistan face significant informational, emotional, physical and financial challenges worsened by healthcare system gaps. Nurses can play a central role by providing structured predischarge education, ongoing follow-up and culturally appropriate, family-centered support to strengthen FCGs capacity and improve patient recovery.