Patients' experiences of delirium: A systematic review and meta-summary of qualitative research

Aims The purpose of this systematic review and meta-summary was the aggregation of the empirical qualitative literature on patients' experiences of delirium in order to support the development and implementation of patient-oriented delirium management and to guide future research. Design We conducted a systematic literature review of qualitative research published between January 1980 and June 2019. Data sources In June 2019, we searched in Medline, CINAHL, SSCI and PsycInfo to identify relevant reports. In addition, we conducted searches in three dissertation databases (BASE, DART and ProQuest) and Google Scholar. Review methods We used methods developed by Sandelowski and Barroso to construct a meta-summary of the findings by extracting them from the reports, abstracting them into meta- findings and calculating their manifest interstudy frequency effect sizes. Results Out of the 742 identified records, 24 reports based on delirium experience accounts of 483 patients met our criteria and were included. One thousand ninety-seven findings were extracted from these reports and abstracted into 92 meta-findings. These were grouped to the five emerging themes 'perception', 'emotions', 'interaction with others', 'dealing with delirium' and 'influence on further life'. Conclusion Delirium is commonly perceived as an overall distressing condition, which can accompany and influence patients even after hospital discharge. Impact This systematic review and meta-summary is the most comprehensive aggregation of qualitative research of the patient delirium experience to date. It allows us to better understand, extract meaning from, and weigh the qualitative findings in their context by calculating their manifest frequency effect sizes. This can be used to support the development and implementation of delirium management concepts.

Automated summary

This study conducted a systematic review and meta-summary of qualitative research on patients' experiences of delirium, finding that delirium is commonly perceived as a distressing condition that can continue to influence patients even after hospital discharge. The comprehensive aggregation of qualitative findings allows for better understanding, extracting meaning from, and weighing the results in context, which can support the development and implementation of delirium management concepts.