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The experiences of informal carers during the COVID-19 pandemic : a qualitative systematic review
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Bailey, Cara, Guo, Ping, MacArtney, John, Finucane, Anne, Swan, Susan, Meade, Richard and Wagstaff, Ellie (2022) The experiences of informal carers during the COVID-19 pandemic : a qualitative systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (20). 13455. doi:10.3390/ijerph192013455 ISSN 1660-4601.
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WRAP-The-experiences-of-informal-carers-during-the-COVID-19-pandemic-a-qualitative-systematic-review-MacArtney-2022.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (422Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013455
Abstract
Objectives: To identify, critically appraise and synthesise the qualitative literature on the experiences of informal carers of people with long-term conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A qualitative systematic literature review. Data Sources: Eight electronic databases were systematically searched (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Nursing and Allied Health and ASSIA) along with Google Scholar and handsearching via secondary sources. Study selection: Eligible studies had to include the experiences of informal carers (adults who are 65 or older), use a qualitative methodology and had to be written in English. Data extraction and synthesis: Retrieved papers were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist and ranked for quality. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the findings. Results: Fourteen studies were included, all from medical or nursing journals (n = 5 specifically gerontology). Four main themes were identified: (i) fear, (ii) uncertainty, (iii) burden and (iv) staying connected. Caregiving demands have increased for carers during the pandemic, as well as negative emotions such as fear and uncertainty. At the same time, less social support has been available, leading to concerns about carers’ wellbeing and ability to cope. Conclusion: Carers’ needs have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Greater practical and emotional support is needed for carers from both formal services and community sources that considers their changing needs and offers educational and emotional support for long-term wellbeing. Strengths and Limitations: (1) This is the first systematic review to explore in depth the experiences of informal carers caring for people with a range of long-term conditions and from an international context. (2) The review includes an analysis of the quality of the studies, as well as a study of their relative contributions. (3) Further research is needed to explore the physical, emotional and financial impact of the pandemic for bereaved carers which is not captured in this review due to the lack of empirical data available at the time of review.
| Item Type: | Journal Article | |||||||||
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| Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine | |||||||||
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Academic Primary Care Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- , Caregivers, Caregivers -- Psychology | |||||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | |||||||||
| Publisher: | M D P I AG | |||||||||
| ISSN: | 1660-4601 | |||||||||
| Official Date: | 18 October 2022 | |||||||||
| Dates: |
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| Volume: | 19 | |||||||||
| Number: | 20 | |||||||||
| Number of Pages: | 18 | |||||||||
| Article Number: | 13455 | |||||||||
| DOI: | 10.3390/ijerph192013455 | |||||||||
| Status: | Peer Reviewed | |||||||||
| Publication Status: | Published | |||||||||
| Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | |||||||||
| Date of first compliant deposit: | 24 October 2022 | |||||||||
| Date of first compliant Open Access: | 25 October 2022 | |||||||||
| RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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