Patient's experiences of suffering across the cancer trajectory: A qualitative systematic review protocol

Aim To identify, appraise and synthesize the available evidence from qualitative research exploring the suffering of patients with cancer during their illness trajectories. Design Protocol for a qualitative systematic review. Data Sources The database will include PubMed, CINAHL and Psych Info were searched in May 2020. Methods The review protocol has been registered in International Prospective Register for Systematic Review (CRD42020165405). This review will systematically search qualitative research studies in databases from 1982-May 2020, with predetermined search terms. Searches are limited to studies in English. Two reviewers will independently appraise the methodological quality of the selected studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Disagreements can be settled through discussion which includes a third reviewer, if necessary. This review will use the meta-aggregative approach to analyze and synthesize data. A summary of findings from selected studies will be presented. Discussion Suffering is a complex dimension that included physical psychological, existential and social dimensions. This review will enable nurses to gain an in-depth understanding of suffering that not only worsens at the end of life that can deliver comprehensive care. Impact This review is designed to systematically identify and explore the suffering that patients with cancer experience during their illness trajectory. Often suffering is highlighted at the end of life phase. This review will synthesize the evidence of suffering from the beginning of the patient's diagnosis to the end of life. The results of this review provide evidence to support nursing developments in education and clinical practice so that understanding of cancer can be optimized. The findings of the proposed review will contribute as a basis for recommendations for future research regarding suffering.