Qualitative Meta-synthesis of Nurses' Caring Experience for People with Dementia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to synthesize and integrate the results of qualitative studies on nurses' experience caring for people with dementia.Methods: We followed Noblit and Hare’s seven step of meta-ethnography to synthesize qualitative studies. Six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, RISS, National Assembly Library, KCI) were used to search for literatures that explored the nurses’ experience of caring for people with dementia. Based on the criteria, nine studies were included for the synthesis.Results: Five themes and ten sub-themes were identified: “Knowing the diversity of dementia”, “Building a relationship of trust”, “Finding the value in life”, “Willingness to overcome external obstacles”, “Establishment of nursing strategy to maintain routine of people with dementia”. The nurses considered their own life through the life of the people with dementia, and tried to establish a nursing strategy to maintain daily life for these people.Conclusion: This study provides a deeper understanding of nurses' caring experiences for people with dementia, and can be helpful in establishing various coping strategies so that nurses can provide efficient caring for these patients.