The perceptions and experiences of caregivers of patients with dysphagia: A qualitative meta-synthesis.
QiaoLi Yi, LiYe Mao, WenYao Li and 4 others
PMID 39219148WHAT IT FOUND
Caregivers of adults with swallowing problems felt exhausted, anxious and guilty, spent more time on meals, avoided eating out and lacked practical dysphagia advice.
They wanted clear, personalised teaching and ongoing family support.
Key findings
01Caregivers described frustration, anxiety, guilt, embarrassment and exhaustion as they watched swallowing decline.
02Dysphagia changed daily life, adding meal preparation, stressful eating, avoidance of meals outside, sleep loss, social limits and financial strain.
03Caregivers wanted practical, personalised professional education and ongoing family or friend support, with plain language about choking and safe eating.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The synthesis reports caregiver perceptions and experiences, not measured effects of any intervention. The methodological quality of the included studies was generally moderate, with two high-quality studies, so the themes are not proof of cause. Some relevant full-text articles were unavailable and grey literature was not searched. Only three studies in China reported economic burden, so financial findings may not apply elsewhere. The review was not prospectively registered. The included studies varied by country, condition and method, so the themes may not fit every patient or caregiver.
Declared interests
Funded by the 2023 Independent Innovation Fund Project from School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The supplied text does not state author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that dysphagia education reduces caregiver burden. It reports caregivers' experiences and support needs; no intervention was tested.