Academic Journal
Experiences of death preparedness among family caregivers of terminal patients: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.
| Τίτλος: | Experiences of death preparedness among family caregivers of terminal patients: a systematic review and meta-synthesis. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Ju X; Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.; School of Nursing, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China., Zhang Y; Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.; School of Nursing, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China., Wang X; Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China., Lu Q; Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China., Li Y; School of Nursing, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China., Hong J; Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. |
| Πηγή: | Frontiers in public health [Front Public Health] 2026 Aug 28; Vol. 14, pp. 1921838. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Aug 28 (Print Publication: 2026). |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article; Systematic Review |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Frontiers Editorial Office Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101616579 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2296-2565 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 22962565 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Front Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Lausanne : Frontiers Editorial Office |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Caregivers*/psychology , Terminal Care*/psychology , Family*/psychology , Terminally Ill*/psychology , Attitude to Death*, Humans ; Qualitative Research ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Hospice Care |
| Περίληψη: | Background: Death preparedness is an important component of hospice care, yet research focusing on family caregivers of terminally ill patients remains in its early stages, with few studies systematically synthesizing the death preparedness experiences of this group. The study aimed to integrate the experiences of death preparedness among family caregivers of terminally ill patients and provide a reference for developing family-centered supportive care interventions for this population. Methods: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies were conducted. Six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library) were searched for relevant qualitative studies published from database inception to January 31, 2026. We utilized the Australian JBI Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research to evaluate the quality of the included studies and utilized thematic analysis approach for data analysis. Presentation of this synthesis adhered to the PRISMA guideline. Results: A total of 13 studies were included. Ten new categories were generated and synthesized into four integrated findings, including reconstructing the spiritual meaning of death, information communication for death preparation, coping with multidimensional pressures of reality, and internal and external resources to support caregivers. Conclusion: Death preparedness among family caregivers of terminal patients is a complex and multidimensional psychosocial process. Its complexity and challenges need to be fully assessed and understood through the authentic experiences of family caregivers themselves. This meta-synthesis may help healthcare professionals develop family-centered clinical support measures, thereby promoting the development of hospice care practice and improving the quality of care. (Copyright © 2026 Ju, Zhang, Wang, Lu, Li and Hong.) |
| Competing Interests: | The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: death preparedness; family caregivers; meta-synthesis; systematic review; terminal patients |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260912 Date Completed: 20260912 Latest Revision: 20260914 |
| Update Code: | 20260914 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13561909 |
| DOI: | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1921838 |
| PMID: | 42729174 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
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