[Meta-synthesis: a research methodology]. / La Metasíntesis: una Metodología de Investigación.

This article resulted from a bibliographical review concerning meta-synthesis, considered to be a novel methodology in health science research. Meta-synthesis' importance lies in evaluating high complex scientific evidence from qualitative research and strengthening a discipline's body of knowledge when constructing, describing or explaining related theories. Several authors' definitions of meta-synthesis are presented. They coincide in stating that its purpose is to enhance interpreting an outcome by integrating the findings from qualitative research and thus have an impact on support, research and proposals in resolving problems regarding nursing practice. Some criteria to be born in mind when applying this methodology are also mentioned.

[Social support through using ICT for family caregivers regarding people suffering chronic disease]. / Soporte social con el uso de TIC's para cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of social support using information and communication technology (ICT) for family caregivers regarding people suffering chronic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive exploratory study involving 144 family caregivers for people suffering from chronic disease was carried out in Bogota during 2008 and 2009. It was carried out in three phases: planning and designing ICT strategies (including a pilot trial and selecting the target population), implementing the ICTs in support of the target population and data analysis regarding implementing the ICTs, with a description of the indicators of structure and process for ICT use and results of ICT use in providing social support. G. Hilbert's Social support in chronic disease inventory (SSCI) was used for measurements, including the following categories: personal interaction, guide, feedback, tangible help and social interaction. RESULTS: ICT-based intervention was effective and proved positive for social support for most family caregivers. While analysing the different categories, the guide, information and instruction and personal interaction received high scores while feedback and social interaction received lower ones. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying and designing appropriate ICTs for family caregivers should be continued and supported in different contexts and tools such as internet and on-line social support networks should continue being explored.

Soporte social con el uso de TIC's para cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica / Social support through using ICT for family caregivers regarding people suffering chronic disease

Objetivo Determinar la efectividad del soporte social dado con el uso de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC'S) a los cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica. Material y Métodos Estudio descriptivo, exploratorio realizado en Bogotá en 2008 y 2009 con 144 cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica que constó de tres etapas para su desarrollo: 1. Planeación, diseño de la TIC's, aplicación de prueba piloto y selección de población objeto; 2. Ejecución, implementación de las TIC's con la población objeto; 3. Análisis de la información orientada en dos aspectos: a. Proceso para la implementación de las TIC's: Descripción de los indicadores de estructura y procesos para el uso de las TIC's; b. Resultados: Determinación de la efectividad de las TIC's para brindar soporte social, con la aplicación del instrumento "Inventario de soporte social en enfermedad crónica" (SSCI) de G. Hilbert, que contempla cinco sub-escalas: interacción personal, guía, retroalimentación, ayuda tangible e interacción social. Resultados La intervención en su totalidad, es efectiva y positiva como soporte social para la mayoría de los cuidadores familiares. En el análisis por dimensiones, la de Guía, información e instrucción y la de Interacción personal, son las que reportan los efectos más altos, las de retroalimentación e interacción social obtienen los niveles más bajos. Conclusiones Se requiere continuar en la identificación y diseño de TIC's acordes al contexto de los usuarios, explorar herramientas como el internet y profundizar en las redes de soporte social en línea.

Objective The study was aimed at determining the effectiveness of social support using information and communication technology (ICT) for family caregivers regarding people suffering chronic disease. Materials and Methods This descriptive exploratory study involving 144 family caregivers for people suffering from chronic disease was carried out in Bogota during 2008 and 2009. It was carried out in three phases: planning and designing ICT strategies (including a pilot trial and selecting the target population), implementing the ICTs in support of the target population and data analysis regarding implementing the ICTs, with a description of the indicators of structure and process for ICT use and results of ICT use in providing social support. G. Hilbert's Social support in chronic disease inventory (SSCI) was used for measurements, including the following categories: personal interaction, guide, feedback, tangible help and social interaction. Results ICT-based intervention was effective and proved positive for social support for most family caregivers. While analysing the different categories, the guide, information and instruction and personal interaction received high scores while feedback and social interaction received lower ones. Conclusions Identifying and designing appropriate ICTs for family caregivers should be continued and supported in different contexts and tools such as internet and on-line social support networks should continue being explored.

La Metasíntesis: una Metodología de Investigación / Meta-synthesis: a research methodology

Este artículo es el resultado de la revisión temática de fuentes primarias acerca de la metasíntesis, considerada como una metodología investigativa novedosa para las ciencias de la salud, que permite valorar la evidencia científica de la investigación cualitativa y fortalecer el cuerpo de conocimientos de una disciplina al construir, describir y/o explicar fenómenos. Se presentan las definiciones de metasíntesis propuestas por varios autores que coinciden en afirmar que el propósito de ésta es aumentar la interpretación de los resultados de estudios cualitativos generando impacto en la asistencia, la investigación y dando respuesta a los problemas de la práctica. Finalmente, se plantean algunos criterios a tener en cuenta al aplicar la metodología.

This article resulted from a bibliographical review concerning meta-synthesis, considered to be a novel methodology in health science research. Meta-synthesis' importance lies in evaluating high complex scientific evidence from qualitative research and strengthening a discipline's body of knowledge when constructing, describing or explaining related theories. Several authors' definitions of meta-synthesis are presented. They coincide in stating that its purpose is to enhance interpreting an outcome by integrating the findings from qualitative research and thus have an impact on support, research and proposals in resolving problems regarding nursing practice. Some criteria to be born in mind when applying this methodology are also mentioned.