Essentially, three areas of application of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC and BSFC-s) are of particular importance:
The sum value of the BSFC and BSFC-s can be used to estimate the probability of the extent to which the subjective burden of the caregiver (CG) is related to an unfavorable development in the care situation (e.g., a deterioration in the health of the CG). When the BSFC and BSFC-s is used as a screening tool, CGs can be identified in an early stage when they are at an increased risk of an unfavorable development and for whom measures to reduce the burden are necessary and should be offered. With low subjective burden, there is no increased risk of unfavorable health effects (values in the “green” range). When subjective burden is moderate, the risk to health increases (“yellow” range). When subjective burden is high, the risk to health is much higher (“red” area). CGs can assess themselves on the Internet using a digitalized form of the BSFC-s. Click here to go directly to the digital BSFC-s.
By taking a closer look at the items that express a high level of subjective burden, concrete indications can be found as to which relief measures can be particularly helpful for the individual person (e.g., if the item “too little time for one’s own interests” is very pronounced, there is an opportunity to achieve relief by arranging relief measures, such as volunteer helpers).
In research, the statistical correlation between subjective burden and other variables from the care situation can be analyzed in cross-sectional studies. By using longitudinal studies (repeated use of the BSFC over time), the change in subjective burden over time (with or without intervention) can be recorded for individual CGs as well as for groups of CGs.
Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC); Burden Scale for Family Caregivers – short form (BSFC-s); Informal Caregiver (CG)