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Using meta‐ethnography to understand the emotional impact of caring for people with increasing cognitive impairment
Author(s) -
Grose Jane,
Frost Julia,
Richardson Janet,
Skirton Heather
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2012.00727.x
Subject(s) - reinterpretation , ethnography , cognition , cognitive impairment , psychology , quality of life (healthcare) , clinical psychology , medicine , psychotherapist , psychiatry , sociology , anthropology , physics , acoustics
The majority of people with degenerative neurological conditions are cared for within their own families. Cognitive impairment can be a significant and increasing symptom of these conditions. In this article we report how a team of experienced researchers carried out a meta‐ethnography of qualitative research articles focusing on the impact of caring for a loved one with cognitive impairment. We followed the seven‐step process outlined by N oblit and H are. Synthesized findings from 31 papers suggest emotional impact is complex and uncertain and varies from day to day. The benefit of using meta‐ethnography is that the results represent a larger sample size and a reinterpretation of multiple studies can hold greater application for practice. The results of this study offer an opportunity for nurses to be aware of both the positive and negative sides of caring and being cared for. This knowledge can be used to discuss with patients and carers how best to prepare for decreasing cognition and still maintain a worthwhile quality of life.