The Experience of Caregivers Living with Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis

Abstract

The objectives of this meta-synthesis were to: (1) explore the experience of caregivers who were caring for cancer patients, including their perceptions and responses to the situation; and (2) describe the context and the phenomena relevant to the experience. Five databases were used: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Academic Search, Science Direct, and a Thai database known as the Thai Library Integrated System (ThaiLIS). Three sets of the context of the experience and the phenomena relevant to the experience were described. The contexts were (1) having a hard time dealing with emotional devastation; (2) knowing that the caregiving job was laborious; and (3) knowing that I was not alone. The phenomenon showed the progress of the caregivers’ thoughts and actions. A general phenomenon of the experience—balancing my emotion—applied to most of the caregivers; whereas, more specific phenomenon—keeping life as normal as possible and lifting life above the illness—were experienced by a lesser number of the caregivers. This review added a more thorough explanation of the issues involved in caregiving for cancer patients. A more comprehensive description of the experience of caregiving was described. The findings of this review can be used to guide clinical practice and policy formation in cancer patient care.

The experiences of caregivers providing home care for terminally ill family members at the end of life: A phenomenological study in Bahrain

“…Furthermore, caregiving may cause feelings of frustration and guilt if the caregiver fails to fully meet the patient's needs. [15] According to Hudson and Payne [10] research studies in home based palliative care need to be carried out in order to ascertain how much support and assistance is given by health institutions to support family caregivers. It is imperative for nurses to assess the needs of the patient's family prior to discharge to ensure effective care provision at home that will alleviate patient as well as family suffering.…”

“…[5,16] Interestingly, international studies reported unmet needs despite the availability of home nursing care and hospice services. [15][16][17][18][19]21] Through professional interactions with the family members caring for terminal cancer relatives, the first author became aware of the difficulties relatives experienced in providing home care for terminally ill relatives. Moreover, currently there is no home care hospice services available to the Bahraini population.…”

“…[14,15] As a consequence, family caregivers develop physical and psychological illnesses during caregiving. [6,7,[14][15][16] In addition, they report unmet needs. [16][17][18][19] Background Systematic reviews of qualitative and quantitative literature concerning relatives requirements caring for family members at the end of life care, Funk et al [11] and Stajduhar et al [13] documented that relatives have complex needs different from the people they are caring for, and should be treated as individuals with unique needs.…”

“…[6] The literature attests to the numerous challenges experienced by caregivers delivering home care. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Providing care for terminal cancer patients at home causes immense physical and mental exhaustion to the caregivers. [14,15] As a consequence, family caregivers develop physical and psychological illnesses during caregiving.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Providing care for terminal cancer patients at home causes immense physical and mental exhaustion to the caregivers. [14,15] As a consequence, family caregivers develop physical and psychological illnesses during caregiving. [6,7,[14][15][16] In addition, they report unmet needs.…”