Support Needs of Family Caregivers During Tracheostomy Transitions: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Single centre in one Chinese tertiary respiratory ICU, so findings may not apply to other hospitals, regions, or health systems. Quantitative analysis was descriptive and did not adjust for multiple factors, so associations cannot be treated as causal. Subgroup differences were exploratory and not adjusted for multiple comparisons, so they should be read as hypotheses. Qualitative interviews included only caregivers in the highest-need 30%, so themes may reflect worst-case experiences rather than all caregivers. Data collectors were RICU nurses, which may have made caregivers reluctant to report negative experiences about staff. The study did not analyse ward and home transitions as separate primary groups, and only 39 caregivers were in the home group. No patient outcomes were measured, so it is unknown whether meeting these caregiver needs improves recovery. Needs were measured 24 to 48 hours before transfer, so the study does not show how needs change after discharge. The scale may not fully capture financial burden, spiritual support, or the caregiver's own health needs.

No funding was reported, and the authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that structured nurse-led education improves patient or caregiver outcomes. This study measured reported caregiver needs at one time point, and the interviews were limited to caregivers with the highest need scores, so it does not test whether these supports work.