New insights and access to resources change the perspective on life among persons with long-term illness-An interview study.
Åsa Hedlund, Tina Nordström, Marja-Leena Kristofferzon and 1 others
PMID 31660186WHAT IT FOUND
People with long-term illness described finding new ways to manage daily activities, relying on personal traits, family and healthcare support.
Nurses can ask about these resources, medication worries and continuity of care.
Key findings
01Access to personal resources and support helped people find ways to cope with limitations and see life differently.
02Patients said healthcare providers were supportive when they were easy to contact, involved patients in care, and provided long-term contact with the same doctor or nurse.
03Some participants found it difficult to accept medications, including phasing them out, fearing addiction, or feeling they did not help.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only people living with a partner were included, so the study may not capture the experience of single people or people without partner support. Several potential participants declined, including one who was too ill, so the least healthy patients may be missing. Two researchers conducted the interviews, which may have affected the data. The study was done in Sweden, so social and healthcare supports may differ in other countries. The study describes experiences and does not test whether any nursing or healthcare approach improves outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that asking about resources improves health. This interview study describes experiences rather than testing care.