To systematically evaluate the qualitative study of the real experience of patients with enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy and their caregivers and to deeply understand the real feelings and physical and mental experience of patients and caregivers.

Databases were searched including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database and CBM from inception to September 30th, 2019. To collect the qualitative studies on the real experience of patients with enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy and their caregivers. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the included literature was determined, the literature was evaluated according to the quality evaluation criteria of qualitative research of the JBI Evidence-based Health Care Center, and the results were integrated using a collective integration method.

A total of 11 studies were included and 37 results were extracted. Based on the quality of life theory, the topics extracted are as follows: patients with enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy and their caregivers experienced dynamic cycle of change and challenge, coping and adaptation, demand and support in the domain of health and function, psychology/spiritual, socioeconomic and family.

The four domains of quality of life of patients and caregivers were affected during enteral nutrition after gastro/jejunostomy. In particular, patients and caregivers showed strong inner and information needs in the psychological/spiritual and socioeconomic domain. It is suggested that medical staff should provide effective psychological, emotional and information support in disease treatment and nursing, in order to improve the quality of life of patients and caregivers.

Gastro/jejunostomy; Enteral nutrition; Meta-synthesis