Health education needs of stroke patients and caregivers: A qualitative meta-synthesis.
Healthcare providers should develop health education plans that consider the distinct needs of stroke patients and their caregivers, focusing on tailored content delivery.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the vip (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) corpusSummary and findings
This study investigates the health education needs of stroke patients and their caregivers, aiming to inform tailored health education programs. A systematic search identified 11 studies, leading to the synthesis of 38 findings into 11 new categories. The analysis highlights systematic differences in health education needs between patients and caregivers.
Abstract
Background The current health education for stroke patients and their families often fails to take into account the systematic differences in their needs, and most of the approaches are based on the single perspective of either the patients or the caregivers, lacking a systematic integration from a dual perspective. Objective This study integrates the health education needs of stroke patients and caregivers, to inform the development of tailored health education programs for both stroke patients and their caregivers. Information sources A systematic search was conducted across Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL for qualitative research papers addressing health education needs among stroke patients or caregivers. The search period spanned from the inception of each database to September 2025. The quality of included studies was assessed using the qualitative research tool developed by the JBI Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare. Meta-synthesis was performed using the meta-synthesis approach. Results A total of 11 studies were included, yielding 38 findings that were ultimately synthesized into 11 new categories. These were consolidated into three outcomes: disease knowledge needs, psychosocial support needs, and resource support needs. The analysis further revealed systematic differences in health education needs between patients and caregivers. Conclusion Healthcare providers should prioritize the needs of patients and their caregivers, developing health education plans based on a segmented, phased, and collaborative approach. This involves delivering targeted health education content to meet their specific educational requirements.
Background
This paper addresses the health education needs of stroke patients and their caregivers, which are often overlooked in existing educational frameworks. Prior research has indicated that health education approaches typically focus on either patients or caregivers, lacking a comprehensive view. Understanding the dual perspective is crucial for developing effective educational programs.
Methods
A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including CNKI, PubMed, and Cochrane Library, for qualitative research papers on health education needs among stroke patients and caregivers. The search period extended to September 2025. The quality of studies was assessed using a qualitative research tool, and a meta-synthesis approach was employed to analyze the findings.
Results
A total of 11 studies were included, yielding 38 findings that were synthesized into 11 new categories. The analysis revealed three primary outcomes: disease knowledge needs, psychosocial support needs, and resource support needs. Systematic differences in health education needs between patients and caregivers were also identified.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that health education for stroke patients and caregivers should be tailored to address their specific needs, as identified in the synthesis. While the study provides valuable insights, the qualitative nature of the data limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of proposed educational interventions. The systematic differences noted may guide healthcare providers in developing more effective educational strategies.
Key findings
- 11 studies included in the meta-synthesis.
- 38 findings synthesized into 11 new categories.
- Three outcomes identified: disease knowledge needs, psychosocial support needs, and resource support needs.
Limitations
- Qualitative data may not yield quantifiable outcomes.
- Synthesis based on existing literature may vary in quality.
- No specific numerical findings reported.