Assertiveness in the patients with thalassaemia major: A qualitative study.
Leila Valizadeh, Vahid Zamanzadeh, Akram Ghahramanian and 1 others
PMID 33619878WHAT IT FOUND
Patients with thalassaemia major described hiding their illness to avoid stigma, which could disrupt transfusions, work and marriage.
Those who disclosed openly said they had better mental state and fewer social problems.
Key findings
01Patients described concealing thalassaemia to avoid stigma, and said this could stop them receiving transfusions on time.
02Participants who did not hide their illness reported fewer psychological and social problems.
03Assertiveness emerged as courage to self-presentation, demonstrating abilities, and attendance in groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study did not test an assertiveness programme or measure outcomes, so it cannot show that being assertive improves health. Participants were from Iranian centres in Sari and Tabriz and the authors noted lack of ethnic diversity, so the themes may not transfer to other settings. The sample was purposive and small, and people had to agree to interviews, so it reflects patients willing to discuss their illness.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that assertiveness training improves thalassaemia outcomes. The study interviewed patients and described themes; it did not test an intervention or measure health outcomes.