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Experiences of financial toxicity among caregivers of cancer patients: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

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Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of financial toxicity among caregivers of cancer patients and to provide recommendations for subsequent intervention strategies.

Methods

Computer searches of PubMed, EmBase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL (EBSCO), CNKI, Wanfang database, and SinoMed for qualitative studies experience of financial toxicity among caregivers cancer patients. The search time frame was from the establishment of the database to May 2023. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Qualitative Research Checklist from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewer’s Manual. The meta-synthesis was integrated following the meta-aggregation method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and reported following the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines.

Results

A total of nine studies were included, distilling 25 qualitative findings into nine new categories and synthesizing three synthesized findings: caregivers have strong negative experiences that affect their family relationships, daily work and life; caregivers use different strategies to cope with financial toxicity; needs and expectations of caregivers coping with financial toxicity.

Conclusions

Financial toxicity among caregivers of cancer patients affects their daily lives. Receiving timely recognition of this financial burden and providing assistance to enhance their coping skills are crucial in mitigating its impact. Healthcare professionals should focus on the financial toxicity experienced by caregivers of people with cancer, address their supportive needs, and develop a comprehensive support system to improve caregivers’ coping abilities and quality of life.

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Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank other researchers in our research team who provided advice in drafting and reviewing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Weifang Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang, 261053, China

    Yanan Shi, Ying Gao & Qiyang Huai

  2. School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan, 250000, China

    Zhongyan Du

  3. Department of Nursing, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jingwuweiqi Road, Jinan, 250000, China

    Lijuan Yang

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Contributions

Yanan Shi: study conception and design; systematic search, data extraction and analysis, and quality assessment; manuscript writing; revising the article. Ying Gao: data extraction; synthesis of results. Qiyang Huai: literature screening; revision of the article. Zhongyan Du: quality assessment; revision of the article. Lijuan Yang: design; manuscript writing; editing.

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Correspondence to Lijuan Yang.

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Shi, Y., Gao, Y., Huai, Q. et al. Experiences of financial toxicity among caregivers of cancer patients: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. Support Care Cancer 32, 146 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08349-x

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