title: The experience of being an informal "carer" for a person with cancer: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implications for professional practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,Preston,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seal
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Medicine,Lancaster University,Lancaster,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Craig D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,Preston,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Seddon
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005791:Patient Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Adjustment; Cancer; Carer; Coping; Qualitative; Synthesis