Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41583418›Full record

ReviewJHLT open2026

The unsung heroes: A scoping review of the experiences of lung transplant informal caregivers.

Jane Simanovski, Jody Ralph, Jamie Crawley, Kelly Bryce, Dana Sleiman, Edward Cruz

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in JHLT open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jane SimanovskiFaculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada.
Jody RalphFaculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada.
Jamie CrawleyFaculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada.
Kelly BryceTransplant Institute, Henry Ford Health, 2799 West Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202.
Dana SleimanFaculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada.
Edward CruzFaculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Informal caregivers support patients after lung transplantation (LTx). With growing recognition of the multiple demands placed on caregivers, this scoping review aimed to systematically map the literature surrounding informal caregiving experiences after LTx using JBI guidelines. Multiple databases were searched from January 2010 to May 2025 based on a combination of synonyms and controlled vocabulary related to "caregiver" and "lung transplant recipients". A total of 404 records were screened after the removal of duplicates. Among these, 16 sources met the inclusion criteria with 12 (75%) classified as full publications, 3 (19%) peer-reviewed conference abstracts, and 1 poster presentation. Most studies were based in North America (11/16 [69%]) with the remainder from Europe or Australia. Only 19% (3/16) of the sources were published within the past 5 years. There were 7 qualitative studies (44%), 6 quantitative (38%), 2 mixed methods (12%), and 1 literature review. Informal caregivers described a wide variety of challenges ranging from high levels of caregiver burden, psychological and emotional impacts, handling multiple daily practicalities, knowledge deficits, and the need for more support. Positive experiences of the informal caregiver role include positive adjustment, presence of support networks and relationships, improved quality of life, and benefiting from educational support and preparation. Informal caregivers remain an integral resource in supporting patients after LTx. However, most available evidence predates recent advances in transplantation practice-with 80% published before 2020-limiting its current relevance and highlighting the need for further research and targeted interventions to support this population.

Indexed as

Caregiver experienceInformal caregivingLung transplantationLung transplant recipientsScoping review

Identifiers

PMID41583418
PMCPMC12828523

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.