Which statement best describes the impact of caregiver burden on care coordination outcomes?

• A. Caregiver stress affects adherence and outcomes; supporting caregivers improves patient results
• B. Caregiver burden has no effect on patient outcomes
• C. Caregivers should not be involved in discharge planning
• D. Supporting caregivers increases cost without benefits

Answer: (A)

Caregiver burden influences care coordination outcomes because the stress and workload on those providing care directly affect how well a patient follows the plan after discharge and during ongoing treatment. When caregivers are overwhelmed, patients are more likely to miss medications, skip follow-up appointments, or not recognize warning signs, leading to poorer health outcomes. Providing targeted support to caregivers—through education, resources, and involving them in discharge planning—helps improve adherence and patient results, and can reduce complications and readmissions. Statements that caregiver burden has no effect, that caregivers should be excluded from discharge planning, or that supporting caregivers only increases costs without benefits do not align with evidence showing the positive impact of caregiver involvement and support.