Exploring the Caregiver Experiences of Symptom Management in Children With Cancer: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Le résumé fourni par la source

Although caregivers of children with cancer play an instrumental role in managing their child's symptoms, the impact of their own experiences or perspectives is under-explored. Understanding these factors is essential as they influence caregiving behaviors and overall well-being. This qualitative systematic review addresses this knowledge gap by synthesizing existing research on caregiver's experiences. The review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Two reviewers utilized Rayyan to screen titles and abstracts retrieved from comprehensive keyword searches of five databases including CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Embase, and MEDLINE. Databases and bibliographies were hand-searched for additional articles. One reviewer completed full text assessment and data were extracted into an Excel spreadsheet. The Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool was used to appraise included studies. Thematic content analysis was used to synthesize findings, which are presented narratively. Twelve articles are included, representing the experiences of 597 caregivers, most of which (83%) were undertaken in high-income nations. Quality appraisal scores indicated all studies were of moderate to robust quality. Three main themes were identified including: (1) caregivers as protectors in their role, (2) normalization of symptoms yet they remain disrupting, and (3) communication between the caregiver and child. Findings emphasize the importance of formalized information provision and education to better support caregivers in managing their child's cancer-related symptoms. Nurses are uniquely positioned to provide this essential support thereby improving the quality of life for both caregivers and children.

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