Family members' experiences and expectations of self-management counseling while caring for a person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review protocol.

Abstract

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review is to identify and synthesize existing evidence of the experiences and expectations of self-management counseling of adult family members (e.g. spouse, adult child) who are informal caregivers of a person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The specific research questions are: What are the experiences of adult family members in self-management counseling of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? What are the expectations of adult family members in self-management counseling of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants This systematic review will consider studies that include adults (over 18 years) who are family members of individuals with any stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The concept of family member refers to a person who is an informal caregiver because of a mutual relationship with the person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, studies are included if family members have participated in self-management counseling organized by healthcare professionals or have wished or planned to participate. All types of counseling methods are included. Types of phenomena of interest This systematic review will consider studies that investigate family members’ experiences and expectations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’s self-management counseling. Context This systematic review will consider studies that investigate family members’ experiences and expectations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’s self-management counseling in the context of inpatients or outpatients care.