Self-management experiences and coping strategies of glaucoma patients: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research.

Abstract

A qualitative study integrating data on glaucoma patients' self-management experiences and coping strategies provides in-depth insights into patients' experiences and adaptive approaches during disease management, offering evidence-based support for developing patient-centered interventions. The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, No. CRD420251102370) has the study registered. We searched six databases for a qualitative meta-synthesis. Two reviewers independently screened and reviewed the literature using the JBI evaluation checklist to assess the qualitative studies. Data were synthesized using Thomas and Harden's method of subject and content analysis. This study included nine papers, extracted thirty research findings, categorized them into nine new categories, and synthesized them into three integrated results: disease cognition and emotional burden, multidimensional dilemmas of self-management behavior, dynamic exploration of coping strategies. The current healthcare system has shortcomings in providing continuous, personalized support. Future nursing practices should rely on the healthcare system, families, and society to build an information support network to improve patient management efficiency and ultimately improve patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes.