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. 2021 Jul 8;18(14):7294.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147294.

Living with Long Term Conditions from the Perspective of Family Caregivers. A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis

Patricia Marín-Maicas  1 , Silvia Corchón  2 , Leire Ambrosio  3 , Mari Carmen Portillo  3
Affiliations

Living with Long Term Conditions from the Perspective of Family Caregivers. A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis

Patricia Marín-Maicas et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

(1) Background: When living with one or more long term conditions (LTCs), both the patient and the family experience the impact of the condition at different levels. The family's needs and perceptions should be considered in the process of caring for people with LTCs. The aim of this review is to understand "the process of living with LTCs" from a family perspective. (2) Methods: A scoping review and narrative synthesis were conducted using a systematic methodology in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO, in English and Spanish, including evidence from 2018. (3) Results: A total of 28 articles were included in the review. Acceptance, coping, self-management, integration, and adjustment were key attributes in the process of living with LTCs from the perspective of family caregivers that interrelated in a dynamic way through different mechanisms: being aware of the changing situation, personal networks, information and education, personal conditions, attitude to life and communication. (4) Conclusions: The five attributes that comprise living with LTCs from the perspective of the family caregiver are closely connected of to those of patients living with LTCs; however, self-management and integration have a different meaning and application.

Keywords: experience; family caregivers; living with long term conditions; person-centred care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA 2020 flow diagram [29].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interrelationships between the attributes of living with LTCs from the perspective of the family caregiver and mechanisms involved.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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