The experience of being an informal "carer" for a person with cancer: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Objective: Increasingly, family or friends are providing care to those with cancer. However, the majority of those assuming the caring role have no prior knowledge related to the provision of care. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of informal carers with respect to their role, thus determining ways that services may support transition to this role. Method: In order to obtain an in-depth view of such experience, a qualitative meta-synthesis was employed to review the findings of 17 studies. Results: Out of this synthesis, three main concepts were developed: (1) identity and adopting the caring role, (2) the perception of care tasks, and (3) relationship dynamic changes as a result of caring. Significance of Results: The implications for professional practice are discussed.