Significant others’ experience of hospitalized patients’ transfer to home: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Abstract Background Significant others are individuals representing family members or neighbors, friends, colleagues or members of the same household, who act as relatives or surrogates. Significant others play an important role when patients are transferred or discharged after hospitalization. Objective The objective of this review is to identify, appraise and synthesize the best available evidence exploring significant others’ experiences of the discharge or transfer of adult patients after hospitalization. Methods A qualitative comprehensive systematic review and meta aggregation. Types of participants Participants of this review are the ‘significant other(s); persons who are important or influential to the patient's life. Phenomena of interest How the significant others’ experience hospitalized patients’ transitions and the psychosocial and existential issues during transfer from hospital to home. Context S tudies that investigate the organizational culture during hospitalization. Types of studies Studies that focus on qualitative data including, but not limited to, designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, action research and feminist research. Search Strategy The search aimed at finding published and unpublished studies in English, German, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, and was unrestricted by time. Eleven electronic databases and eleven websites were searched. Critical appraisal Methodological validity of the qualitative papers was assessed independently by two reviewers using the standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. Data Extraction Data were extracted from papers included in the review using the standardized data extraction tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. Data Synthesis Qualitative research findings were synthesized. Results A total of 189 findings from twelve studies were aggregated into three categories. An aggregated finding was generated based on the primary studies: SOs existential strength is linked to preparations for the discharge including care planning meeting(s) and learning-by-doing care activities led by health care providers during hospitalizations. Conclusions The studies in this review provided useful and credible statements from caregivers’ voices that are not previously aggregated nor presented. The findings enlighten both positive and burdensome experiences in the everyday life of caring for a significant other after discharge.