Open AccessFamily Caregiver Support of Patient Self-Management During Chronic, Life-Limiting Illness: A Qualitative Metasynthesis
Author(s) -
Dena SchulmanGreen,
Shelli Feder,
J. Nicholas DionneOdom,
Janene Batten,
Victoria Long,
Yolanda Harris,
Abigail Wilpers,
Tiffany Wong,
Robin Whittemore
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of family nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.728
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1552-549X
pISSN - 1074-8407
DOI - 10.1177/1074840720977180
Subject(s) - qualitative research , family caregivers , limiting , self management , quality of life (healthcare) , family support , critical appraisal , medicine , inclusion (mineral) , social support , nursing , psychology , psychotherapist , alternative medicine , social psychology , mechanical engineering , social science , pathology , machine learning , sociology , computer science , engineering , physical therapy
Family caregivers play an integral role in supporting patient self-management, yet how they perform this role is unclear. We conducted a qualitative metasynthesis of family caregivers' processes to support patient self-management of chronic, life-limiting illness and factors affecting their support. Methods included a systematic literature search, quality appraisal of articles, data abstraction, and data synthesis to produce novel themes. Thirty articles met inclusion criteria, representing 935 international family caregivers aged 18 to 89 years caring for patients with various health conditions. Three themes characterized family caregivers' processes to support patient self-management: "Focusing on the Patient's Illness Needs," "Activating Resources to Support Oneself as the Family Caregiver," and "Supporting a Patient Living with a Chronic, Life-Limiting Illness." Factors affecting family caregivers' support included Personal Characteristics, Health Status, Resources, Environmental Characteristics, and the Health Care System. The family caregiver role in supporting patient self-management is multidimensional, encompassing three processes of care and influenced by multiple factors.