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The caring experience and supportive care needs of male partners for women with gynecologic cancer: a qualitative literature review.

OBJECTIVE
To systematically review male partners' caring experience and supportive care needs when caring for women with gynecologic cancer.


METHODS
The PRISMA guidelines was used to conduct this systematic review. We performed a comprehensive literature search in nine databases and qualitative studies published in English or Chinese from inception to January 2020. The included papers were appraised, using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool for qualitative research. An inductive thematic analysis method was adopted to synthesize major findings to construct core concepts and themes.


RESULTS
Eight studies were included in this review, and four overarching themes emerged: the negative experience of disease, the need for supportive care to cope, adapting to a new life, and post-traumatic growth.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that male partners had both negative and positive experiences in the caring process, and they could adjust themselves to some extent. Their perceived supportive care needs were often neglected.


RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Male partners of women with gynecologic cancer are an under-recognized group. The couple-oriented or family-oriented supportive care programs should be implemented to meet the supportive care needs of male partners to enhance their health and well-being.