Table 6.
Synthesised Findings – Process for categorisation and synthesis formation.
| Study | Study findings | Categories | Synthesises findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crow (2020) | Lymphie conundrums: Grappling with normalising/Othering | Forced Normalcy | The ‘New Norm’ (This refers to the way in which those diagnosed with the condition are faced with a ‘new version’ of themselves, and how that is accommodated, and ‘normalised’ in their lives.) |
| Meiklejohn et al. (2013) | Accidental journey | ||
| Meiklejohn et al. (2013) | Altered normalcy | ||
| Nixon et al. (2018) | Adjustment to a new normal | ||
| Michael et al., 2016 | ‘An old man’s disease’: prostate cancer and the younger male | ||
| Michael et al., 2016 | ‘Only half a bloke’: changes to self-perception | ||
| Michael et al., 2016 | ‘It’s dictated my life’: disruption to function and its impact on daily life and life quality | ||
| Crow (2020) | Complexities, complications and confusion: Life difficulties along the journey | Psychological and Social Journey | The ‘New Norm’ (This refers to the way in which those diagnosed with the condition are faced with a ‘new version’ of themselves, and how that is accommodated, and ‘normalised’ in their lives.) |
| Crow (2020) | Striving to matter to and for others and self | ||
| Jeans et al. (2019) | It affects me in other ways | ||
| Meiklejohn et al. (2013) | Ebb and flow of control | ||
| Nixon et al. (2018) | Supports that helped manage distress | ||
| Nixon et al. (2018) | Day-to-day distress | ||
| Nixon et al. (2018) | Psychosocial impact | ||
| McGarvey (2014) | Psychosocial aspects of facial lymphoedema | ||
| Shakespeare (2012) | Psychological effects | ||
| Deng and Murphy (2016) | Suggestions on lymphoedema self-care | Management Process and Adoption | Journey into the ‘Unknown’ ( This pertains to the journey taken by those diagnosed with lymphoedema. It also considers that the journey started alongside another journey, which has led a ‘mystery tour’ that is less than wanted.) |
| Deng and Murphy (2016) | Perceived lymphoedema self-care education | ||
| Deng and Murphy (2016) | Reported lymphoedema self-care practices | ||
| Jeans et al. (2019) | It requires daily self-monitoring and management | ||
| Nixon et al. (2018) | Experience of receiving treatment | ||
| Shakespeare (2012) | Treatments | ||
| Shakespeare (2012) | Knowledge about lymphoedema | ||
| Shakespeare (2012)) | Provision of information about lymphoedema | ||
| Jeans et al. (2019) | It changes throughout the day | Physical Journey | Journey into the ‘Unknown’ ( This pertains to the journey taken by those diagnosed with lymphoedema. It also considers that the journey started alongside another journey, which has led a ‘mystery tour’ that is less than wanted.) |
| Jeans et al. (2019) | It feels tight | ||
| Nixon et al. (2018) | Physical experience and pattern/timing | ||
| McGarvey (2014) | Physical effects of lymphoedema | ||
| McGarvey (2014) | Diurnal pattern | ||
| McGarvey (2014) | Tightness and reduced cervical spine range of motion | ||
| McGarvey (2014) | Mucus secretions and swallowing | ||
| Shakespeare (2012) | Physical effects of lymphoedema on everyday life | ||
| Study | Study findings | Categories | Synthesises findings |
| Maree and Beckmann (2016) | ‘I am grateful’: Coping with the lymphoedema | Affordability and Access – The few or the many? (CB) | ‘Access, Access, Access’ (This pertains to the receiving of a diagnosis, information, and support. Set against the challenges in reaching this stage, and the benefits when it is achieved.) |
| Perera et al. (2007) | Expenditure | ||
| Perera et al. (2007) | Household economy ladder | ||
| Río-González et al., 2018 | Controlling expenses | ||
| Stolldorf et al. (2016) | Lacking resources patients | ||
| Towers et al., 2008 | Frustration | ||
| Maree and Beckmann (2016) | ‘Just live with it’: Lymphoedema the unknown and unspeakable | Information and Knowledge Generation – sufficient vs insufficient (CB) | ‘Access, Access, Access’ (This pertains to the receiving of a diagnosis, information, and support. Set against the challenges in reaching this stage, and the benefits when it is achieved.) |
| Río-González et al., 2018 | Searching information | ||
| Towers et al., 2008 | Lack of clarity about moving to the long-term phase of treatment | ||
| Towers et al., 2008 | Being alone | ||
| Towers et al. (2008) | Support systems | Support Networks – Knowing where to turn? (CB) | ‘Access, Access, Access’ (This pertains to the receiving of a diagnosis, information, and support. Set against the challenges in reaching this stage, and the benefits when it is achieved.) |
| Viehoff et al. (2016) | Environmental factors | ||
| Watts and Davies (2016) | ‘It has changed my life’: The impact of the local specialist led lymphoedema clinic | ||
| Perera et al. (2007) | Illness | Diagnosis – Lucky dip or serendipity (CB) | ‘Access, Access, Access' (This pertains to the receiving of a diagnosis, information, and support. Set against the challenges in reaching this stage, and the benefits when it is achieved.) |
| Watts and Davies (2016) | ‘Nothing was done until about a year ago’: Delays in correct diagnosis | ||
| Williams et al., 2004 | Experience of lymphoedema diagnosis | ||
| Frid et al. (2006) | Interaction with others | Sociability, Status and Power – what are the returns (CB) | ‘Personhood’ (This refers to the notion that a person exists as part of existential and relational constructs. How that is acknowledged by services and others is variable.) |
| Perera et al. (2007) | Impact ladder | ||
| Río-González et al., 2018 | Building relationships | ||
| Williams et al., 2004 | Experiences and dealing with lymphoedema | ||
| Hamilton and Thomas (2016) | Hope as action | ||
| Thomas and Hamiton (2014) | (In)visibility and appearance | ||
| Bogan et al. (2007) | Making room | Temporality – past, present, and future (CB) | ‘Personhood’ (This refers to the notion that a person exists as part of existential and relational constructs. How that is acknowledged by services and others is variable.) |
| Frid et al. (2006) | The future | ||
| Hamilton and Thomas (2016) | Renegotiating hope in the context of a chronic condition | ||
| Thomas and Hamiton (2014) | (In)visibility of the present and future | ||
| Tidhar (2018) | Hope | ||
| Tidhar (2018) | Maintenance versus back to normal (acceptance vs hope) | ||
| Bogan et al. (2007) | Turning point | ||
| Frid et al., 2006 | Dealing with problems | ||
| Hamilton and Thomas (2016) | The objects of hope | ||
| Stolldorf et al. (2016) | Impacting psychosocial well-being patients | ||
| Tidhar (2018) | Empowerment | ||
| Viehoff et al. (2016) | Personal factors | ||
| Bogan et al. (2007) | Nowhere to turn | Daily Life – Remembrance (CB) | ‘Personhood’ (This refers to the notion that a person exists as part of existential and relational constructs. How that is acknowledged by services and others is variable.) |
| Frid et al. (2006) | The physical aspects | ||
| Maree and Beckmann (2016) | ‘My arm is painful’: Living with the physical consequences of lymphoedema | ||
| Río-González et al., 2018 | Discovering physical and psychological barriers | ||
| Stolldorf et al. (2016) | Physical and functional impairments | ||
| Stolldorf et al. (2016) | Treatment and care | ||
| Thomas and Hamiton (2014) | (In)visibility and action | ||
| Towers et al., 2008 | Burden | ||
| Viehoff et al. (2016) | Body functions | ||
| Viehoff et al. (2016) | Body structures | ||
| Viehoff et al. (2016) | Activities and participation | ||
| Watts and Davies (2016) | ‘It’s a battle’: Living with lymphoedema | ||
| Williams et al. (2004) | Lymphoedema treatment |