• Christiane Kreyer and Sabine Pleschberger.
• Department für Pflegewissenschaft und Gerontologie, UMIT - Private Universität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, medizinische Informatik und Technik, Hall in Tirol, Österreich.
• Pflege. 2014 Oct 1;27(5):307-24.

BackgroundFamily caregivers play a key role in palliative home care for persons with advanced cancer. Although research has shown numerous burdens and strains of family caregiving, there is a lack of family-oriented support strategies in palliative home care. Little is known about family caregivers' self-management in this context so far. Qualitative research provides insight into families' perspectives of the transition to and management of palliative care at home and can be used as a starting point.AimThe aim of the study was to increase knowledge of family caregivers' self-management in palliative home care by synthesizing evidence from qualitative research.MethodBased on a systematic review of literature a meta-synthesis was conducted following the approach of Noblit and Hare (1988). A total of 13 qualitative studies from six countries, published from 2002 onward, formed the basis for an interpretative synthesis.ResultsCaring for a person with advanced cancer at the end of life at home is characterized by an instable transition process in which families are 'struggling for normal'. Six different family self-management strategies to deal with this were identified: acknowledging the transition, restructuring everyday life, maintaining balance in family relationships, taking responsibility for care, using social support, and acquiring caring-skills.ConclusionSelf-management strategies may provide a key for supporting family caregivers in palliative home care by focusing on resources and problem solving skills of families.

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