Experience and caring needs of patients with psoriasis: A qualitative meta‐synthesis

BACKGROUND: As a chronic skin disease, psoriasis often affects the physical, psychological and social status of the patient, which in turn impacts on their experience of illness and needs. However, there is no review of qualitative research that integrates and analyses the experiences and needs of these three influences from a holistic perspective. METHODS: This review follows the ENTREQ guidelines. Six English databases (JBI, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsyINFO, CINAHL and Embase) and three Chinese databases (CNKI, VIP and Wanfang) were searched from January 2012 to October 2022. Literature was included if it was relevant to the experience of illness and caring needs of patients with psoriasis. The JBI-QARI was used to rate the quality of included studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included in the meta-synthesis. Four analytical themes were identified for analysis: physical challenges, psychological discomfort, social phenomena and caring needs. CONCLUSIONS: The combined physical, psychological and social effects of psoriasis and the consequent caring needs should be emphasised. Health professionals, including doctors and nurses, should be aware of the multiple changes in patients and their coping strategies, provide information about psoriasis, monitor and follow-up regularly over time and obtain feedback to inform further treatment and care so as to develop high-quality therapeutic interventions to help and guide patients with their coping strategies. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings describe the physical, psychological and social experiences of illness and caring needs of patients with psoriasis. Healthcare professionals should be more aware of patients' easily overlooked psychological and social distress, providing prompt attention and recognition of patients' experiences and needs, offering relevant assistance and support and enhancing daily, regular follow-up to help them improve their understanding of and ability to manage their illness. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This is a meta-synthesis without direct patient involvement.