Dyadic coping strategies and quality of care experience: An original study of patients living with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers

Abstract

Background and objective: Multiple sclerosis has a major impact on the lives of patients and their caregivers. Measuring their experience is essential for improving the quality of care. Based on a sample of patient-informal caregiver dyads we examine whether coping strategies they implemented influenced their self-experience of quality of care.

Methods: One hundred and eighty three dyads were involved in this cross-sectional study. Self reported data included experience with the quality of care (Musicare) and coping strategies (Brief Cope) for patients and their caregivers. An actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) analysis was performed to assess the dyadic effects of coping strategies on experience of quality of care.

Results: Positive coping strategies were the most used by patients and caregivers alike. They were associated with a better experience of relationships with healthcare professionals, information about the disease and patient reception at the sites providing care. APIM analyses confirmed most of these results and identified one "partner" effect.

Conclusion: The experience of the quality of the care of patients living with MS is related to the use of positive coping strategies.

Keywords: Caregivers; Coping behavior; Multiple sclerosis; Patient reported experience; Quality of health care.