Experiences and needs of home caregivers for enteral nutrition: A systematic review of qualitative research

AIMS: To systematically identify, evaluate and synthesize the qualitative evidence on enteral nutrition of home caregivers. DESIGN: A qualitative evidence synthesis using the Sandelowski and Barroso methodology. DATA SOURCES: We reviewed articles from eight databases: CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, Wanfang Data and CSTJ. Qualitative, peer‐reviewed, original studies published in English or Chinese before April 2020 on home caregivers’ experience and needs for enteral nutrition were included. The studies were selected by screening titles, abstracts and full texts, and the quality of each study was assessed by two researchers independently. REVIEW METHODS: Two researchers independently used qualitative assessment and review tools for quality assessment and thematic synthesis for data analysis. RESULTS: This review included 10 articles. The themes identified included balance the enteral nutrition, the experiences and feelings in practice and the recommendations to meet challenge. CONCLUSION: Home caregivers reported that they played an important role and faced greater pressure. Future studies should establish a systematic and standardized follow‐up schedule to improve home caregivers’ physical and mental health. IMPACT: The findings established that home caregivers experienced not only changes in their roles and concerns but also spiritual changes. Home caregivers develop different coping strategies to adapt to enteral nutrition without standardized training and support. Although home caregivers make much account of enteral nutrition and feeding issues, they lack of information and support services. Understanding existing problems from a caregiver's perspective can allow interventions to be more clearly developed and well‐established training standards established in the future.