Gender-specific problems and needs of family caregivers during specialist inpatient palliative care: a qualitative study on experiences of family caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated gender-specific impacts on symptoms and problems of patients receiving palliative care; however, there is limited knowledge about the impact of gender on the problems and needs of their family caregivers (FCs).

Methods: Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews with FCs and healthcare professionals (HCPs) of a specialist palliative care inpatient ward were conducted. Themes and categories were identified using qualitative content analysis, with data coded using MAXQDA.