Ismond KP, Spiers JA, Tandon P. Identifying opportunities for hepatic encephalopathy self-management: A mixed methods systematic review and synthesis.
CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2023;
6:215-233. [PMID:
37503524 PMCID:
PMC10370725 DOI:
10.3138/canlivj-2022-0025]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in cirrhosis is an extremely challenging complication for patients and care partners. To identify potentially modifiable factors to enhance HE self-management strategies, we conducted a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research about real-world HE behaviours, knowledge, and experiences.
Methods
Using the EPPI-Centre's mixed methods synthesis procedure, a systematic literature search in five databases was completed; methods of selected articles underwent critical appraisal followed by descriptive analysis and coded line-by-line of content. Through refutational translation, the findings from the quantitative and qualitative syntheses were juxtaposed to highlight congruencies, incongruencies, or gaps. These findings informed generation of cross-analytical themes that were transformed into action statements.
Results
The quantitative narrative review of synthesis (n = 17) generated four themes (patients had low awareness of HE and low treatment adherence rates, physicians had a non-uniform approach to non-pharmaceutical therapies). Meta-aggregation of qualitative data from six articles yielded three themes (patients and care partners had low levels of HE awareness, were unfamiliar with HE self-management, and were adherent to treatments). Comparison of findings revealed three congruencies, two gaps, and one incongruency. The combined synthesis yielded two self-management themes: universal patient-oriented cirrhosis HE education and ensuring each health care encounter systematically addresses HE to guarantee health care is continuously modified to meet their needs.
Conclusions
By drawing on elements of Bloom's Taxonomy and distributed knowledge networks, deliberate patient-oriented HE messaging at all health care encounters is greatly needed to improve health outcomes and reduce care burdens related to HE.
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