Table 1.

The implemented eMERGe Reporting Guidance in this study [31].

Criteria Headings		Reporting Criteria	Page
Phase 1 Selecting meta-ethnography and starting	1. Rationale and context for the meta-ethnography	Describe the gap in research or knowledge to be filled by the meta-ethnography, and the wider context of the meta-ethnography	1–3
	2. Aim(s) of the meta-ethnography	Describe the meta-ethnography aim(s)	3–4
	3. Focus of the meta-ethnography	Describe the meta-ethnography review question(s) (or objectives)	3
	4. Rationale for using meta-ethnography	Explain why meta-ethnography was considered the most appropriate qualitative synthesis methodology	3-4
Phase 2 Deciding what is relevant	5. Search strategy	Describe the rationale for the literature search strategy	5–7
	6. Search processes	Describe how the literature searching was carried out and by whom	6-7
	7. Selecting primary studies	Describe the process of study screening and selection, and who was involved	6–7
	8. Outcome of study selection	Describe the results of study searches and screening	6
Phase 3 Reading included studies	9. Reading and data extraction approach	Describe the reading and data extraction method and processes	15
	10. Presenting characteristics of included studies	Describe characteristics of the included studies	8–14, 15-16
Phase 4 Determining how studies are related	11. Process for determining how studies are related	Describe the methods and processes for determining how the included studies are related: Which aspects of studies were compared AND How the studies were compared	15
	12. Outcome of relating studies	Describe how studies relate to each other	15
Phase 5 Translating studies into one another	13. Process of translating studies	Describe the methods of translation: Describe steps taken to preserve the context and meaning of the relationships between concepts within and across studies Describe how the reciprocal and refutational translations were conducted Describe how potential alternative interpretations or explanations were considered in the translations	15
	14. Outcome of translation	Describe the interpretive findings of the translation	15–22
Phase 6 Synthesizing translations	15. Synthesis process	Describe the methods used to develop overarching concepts (“synthesized translations”) Describe how potential alternative interpretations or explanations were considered in the synthesis	15–20
	16. Outcome of synthesis process	Describe the new theory, conceptual framework, model, configuration, or interpretation of data developed from the synthesis	21–22
Phase 7 Expressing the synthesis	17. Summary of findings	Summarize the main interpretive findings of the translation and synthesis and compare them to existing literature	22–23
	18. Strengths, and limitations	Reflect on and describe the strengths and limitations of the synthesis: Methodological aspects: for example, describe how the synthesis findings were influenced by the nature of the included studies and how the meta-ethnography was conducted.	23–24
	19. Recommendations and conclusions	Describe the implications of the synthesis	22–24