Search

The high epidemiological, social, economic and cultural impact of chronic non-communicable diseases affects what quality of life means to those who suffer from such illnesses and their family caregivers. Objective: Describe how the quality of life of those who care for the chronically ill is constructed. Method: Sandelowski and Barroso's proposal for qualitative metasynthesis was used to develop the study. Results: There are three moments in the process: 1) it is affected (programmed cell destruction), 2) transformed (self-control of development and growth) and 3) redefined (condensation). Construction of the meaning of quality of life for the caregiver is conditioned by four factors: social support, spirituality, ability to care and time. Conclusions: Quality of life is affected and reconstructed by virtue of the meaning the caregiver assigns to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this editorial is to reflect on the concept of "metasynthesis". Although there is some heterogeneity when referring to metasynthesis, there is some consensus in talking about Metasynthesis. The most essential interpretation is the one that describes it as a secondary research procedure, whose purpose is to review and synthesize rigorously and with a critical approach the knowledge coming from original research developed with qualitative methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]