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Tidskrift

Sammanfattning

Background: Dyspnea is a subjective experience difficult to describe through objective measure methods. Different qualitative studies on the subject describes, how patients with COPD experiences dyspnea. Objectives: To synthesise and interpret existing knowledge on how patients with COPD experience dyspnea by performing a qualitative metasynthesis of qualitative studies on the subject. Method: The method used in the study was the qualitative metasynthesis as described by Sandelowski and Barroso. Exhaustive search in four databases revealed six relevant studies included for taxonomic analysis. Result: Four categories emerged: physical consequence, emotional work, thoughtful activity, and experience of death. Conclusion: The synthesis of the essence of the four categories has been interpreted as a theme stating that patients suffering from COPD and dys-pnea find themselves in an emotional straitjacket on the edge of life using energy on thoughtful activity. Relevance for clinical practice: This study contributes with accumulated knowledge about COPD patient´s experiences of dyspnea and can help us develop a model for clinical use in addition to our experiences with the qualitative metasynthesis.

MeSH