Exploring the impact of person-centered primary care for caregivers on family caregiver burden in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Caregiver burden represents a pressing public health challenge in aging societies. The quality of primary care may shape caregiver experiences, yet current evidence remains scarce. To examine the association between primary care quality and overall and domain-specific caregiver burden among family caregivers aged ≥60 years in Shirakawa City, Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving adults aged ≥60 years in Shirakawa City, Japan, as part of the 2023 Shirakawa Quality of Life (QOL) Project. The sample included 250 family caregivers who self-identified as providing care for a relative. Primary care quality was measured using the Person-Centered Primary Care Measure (PCPCM) (score range: 0-4; higher scores = better quality) and caregiver burden using the Burden Index of Caregivers (BIC) (score range: 0-44; higher scores = greater burden). Multivariable linear regression with multiple imputations was performed. Higher quality of primary care was significantly associated with lower caregiver burden overall (adjusted β = -2.8; 95% CI, -4.1 to -1.5). Consistent associations were found across time-dependent, emotional, existential, and physical burden domains. A weaker but still statistically significant association emerged from service-related burden. These findings indicate that person-centered primary care may contribute to reducing multiple dimensions of caregiver burden. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships and guide the development of targeted interventions.