Experience of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Metasynthesis of qualitative research

Abstract

Context Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-limiting illness. Despite best available treatments, individuals continue to experience symptom burden and have high health care utilization. Objectives To increase understanding of the experience and ongoing needs of individuals living with COPD. Methods Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Sociological s were searched for articles published between January 1990 and June 2013. Metasynthesis of qualitative data followed the principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Metasyntheses are increasingly used to gain understandings of complex research questions through synthesizing data from individua..