Purpose To provide a systematic overview of current qualitative systematic reviews and metasyntheses of patients' and informal carers' experiences with rehabilitation and life after stroke following discharge. Method A systematic literature search was performed based on PRISMA guidelines. Nine databases were systematically searched by a university librarian. The search yielded 1093 unique entries and screening by title/abstract identified 60 reviews for potential inclusion. After full-text assessment by two independent observers, 11 reviews satisfied the inclusion criteria. Following quality appraisal, four studies were excluded. Results Seven qualitative reviews (containing 108 primary studies) were included: five reviews of patients' experiences and two reviews of carers' experiences. Stroke causes profound disruption of life as known, and both patients and carers must engage in a process of adapting and rebuilding a post-stroke life and identity. This process of rehabilitation is described as temperamental and unstable rather than progressive. From the reviews, five key experiences in this process are identified: autonomy, uncertainty, engagement, hope and social relations. Conclusions The need for broad, qualitative syntheses of stroke patients' experiences is currently fulfilled. Future qualitative reviews could focus more on implications for practice, e.g., by grading the quality of the metafindings. Implications for Rehabilitation Stroke is a profound disruption of life as known, and patients and carers value information that helps them prepare for and adjust to this new situation. Optimal rehabilitation is a main concern and goal for patients and carers, and thus carers may be a valuable asset to professionals in the rehabilitation process. Practical and emotional support is important for patients and carers, and rehabilitation professionals should be aware of the increased risk of social isolation post-stroke. Hope is a strong motivational factor and coping strategy for patients and carers. However, as hope may wane in the case of continued residual impairment, rehabilitation professionals should prepare patients and carers for this situation.

ESD was experienced as a meaningful and adequate rehabilitation service that allowed patients and partners to collaboratively reinvent and rebuild their flow of everyday life by jointly adjusting routines, activities and their relationship.

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus demands rapid health behaviour changes for the pregnant woman to obtain stable blood glucose levels. In Denmark, the general incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus is about 3%, but more than 4.5% among non‐Western immigrants and descendants. Women belonging to ethnic minorities may be particularly challenged by health behaviour changes due to educational, language and cultural barriers. Aim To explore how non‐Western ethnic minority pregnant women in Denmark experience the hospital‐based information about gestational diabetes mellitus and how they integrate this information into their everyday life. A secondary aim was to investigate how health literacy and distributed health literacy affect this process. Methods Semistructured, qualitative interviews with 11 women. Thematic analysis was conducted with a special focus on health literacy as analytical approach. Results Three themes were identified: Reaction to the diagnosis, Everyday life and Information needs. All women felt sad and worried by the diagnosis. Some struggled to implement the recommended behaviour changes, and many lacked supports from their spouse. The hospital‐based information was positively evaluated, but in some cases, the information was misunderstood. Social networks, language skills, and the ability to seek and assess information were important factors influencing the degree to which the women experienced gestational diabetes mellitus to be a challenge. Conclusion Women were generally satisfied with the hospital‐based information. Women with low health literacy/poor Danish language skills seem to be most challenged by the diagnosis. Future research should examine ways to organise patient‐centred health care while simultaneously supporting women's opportunity to increase health literacy through, for example social network and the Internet.

Clinicians can support parental coping following a severe prenatal diagnosis through continued dialogue and collaboration. Further research is needed on the experiences of parents who choose to terminate a pregnancy following prenatal diagnosis. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.