Objective The purpose of this meta‐synthesis was to explore the experience of living with symptoms caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) and its treatment from the perspectives of those affected. Methods In a systematic search of qualitative studies published up to September 2017, 21 relevant papers were identified. The meta‐ethnography followed the approach developed by Noblit and Hare. To relate key themes from one paper to similar themes of different papers, a “reciprocal translation” was carried out. Results Through synthesis, a new model was developed during treatment (“lines‐of‐argument synthesis”). Two constructs of experiences took place before the illness. Six third‐order constructs were developed to capture patients' experiences during treatment, including “disruption in life through CRC” as well as the complex and circular experiences summarized as “experiences of symptoms and challenges by CRC”. In contrast, experiences in dealing with changes that CRC and the treatment imply were “making sense of the experience”, “sharing the experience”, “experiences with controlling ones' body”, and “experiences with reforming life”. Conclusions This meta‐ethnography clarifies fundamental aspects of patients' experience in very different settings or starting points by specifying a more complete and holistic spectrum of experiences with CRC and its treatment.

Aim The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the PCPI‐S into German and to eventually test its psychometric properties in long‐term care settings. Background Person‐centred practice has been widely adopted internationally as a best‐practice model in nursing and health care. To ensure a sustainable implementation of this practice and to successively promote it, person‐centred practice should be evaluated on a regular basis. The Person‐centred Practice Inventory—Staff (PCPI‐S), which is based on McCormack & McCance's Person‐centred Practice Framework, is a new instrument for this purpose by assessing perceptions of person‐centredness among healthcare staff. Design A two‐phase research design was used involving the translation and cultural adaption of the PCPI‐S from English to German (PCPI‐S‐G; Phase 1) and a quantitative cross‐sectional survey (Phase 2). Methods Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's α . Results Phase 1 was conducted using an internationally recommended checklist for translations and cultural adaptations. In Phase 2, the PCPI‐S‐G was tested in 15 residential care homes in Austria with a sample of 255 staff members. The CFA showed good construct validity and supported the theoretical framework. The internal consistency for the three constructs of the PCPI‐S was excellent, revealing Cronbach's α ‐scores from 0.902–0.941.

Background Special care units are a well-utilized approach in the long-term care for persons with dementia. A therapeutic goal of such settings is to provide meaningful engagement and a sense of community that is crucial for the overall quality of life. In recent years, several studies followed this notion by investigating residents’ social interactions and the influence of the environment on these interactions. Aims This review aims to synthesize the literature on the social interactions of persons with dementia living in special care units. Design A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted. Methods Literature was searched in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. Additionally, reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Studies were screened, data were extracted and the quality was appraised. Separate syntheses were conducted for qualitative and quantitative studies, which were subsequently merged in the final mixed-methods synthesis. Results In total, 18 articles were included, investigating large-scale, small-scale and homelike special care units and green care farms. Residents in special care units experience few social interactions but more than those in the comparative groups. Opportunities to interact are only marginally seized. Interactions typically occur in small groups and are facilitated by familiarity and the organizational environment. Residents mainly rely on staff members to create social interaction, for example initiating or facilitating resident-to-resident interaction. Conclusion Although the evidence base is increasing, it is still fragmented and built on different concepts, interventions, control groups and measurements. Nevertheless, the first conclusions suggest a positive impact of special care units on residents’ social interactions. Although the review yielded a more comprehensive picture of residents’ social life, further high-quality research built on a sound theoretical background is needed.

Background: Demographic change and a shift of values in society bring new challenges for the long-term care of older people, suggesting the institutional model of care should give way to one that places the person at the centre of decision making. Aim: To describe the development of a theoretical framework for person-centred practice with older people in long-term care. Development process: The framework was developed by synthesising original empirical research, existing evidence and existing theory, using an iterative and integrated approach to theory development based on a dialogical understanding of knowledge construction. The project formed part of a five-year research and practice development programme on person-centred practice in long-term care in Austria. Results: The Person-centred Practice Framework for Long-Term Care (PeoPLe) is a theoretical framework of person-centred practice, consisting of five constructs: prerequisites, practice environment, person-centred processes, fundamental principles of care, and outcome. It is dependent on the macro-context of healthcare delivery. Conclusion: PeoPLe provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for the development of person-centred practice in long-term care. The framework can be used to guide empirical inquiry, education and practice development. Implications for practice: The Person-centred Practice Framework for Long-term Care (PeoPLe) is a comprehensive theoretical framework that sets out principles for the operationalisation of person-centred practice with older people in long-term care The Fundamental Principles of Care component of the PeoPLe framework is reported to appeal to many practitioners and may serve also as a low-threshold starting point for practice development The Fundamental Principles of Care component may steer the development of person-centred processes and individual care plans with persons in care. It can, for example, be used to guide assessment, case conferences and documentation

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