This
study gave insights into the need of interdisciplinary care that can generate a
multifaceted picture of the person´s problems and a more extensive management
via person-centered care for RA.
This
study was performed to describe and understand the meaning of living with
persistent rheumatoid arthritis.
Notwithstanding
access to potent antirheumatic treatment, a considerable number of patients
with rheumatoid arthritis live with an ongoing active and symptomatic sickness.
But, there is inadequate knowledge about the meaning of living with this severe
long-term illness, known as persistent rheumatoid arthritis.
This
is a descriptive design based on a hermeneutic phenomenological method. Ten
adults with at least five years disease duration suffering from persistent
rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated. The
van Manen's method was used to analyse the interviews.
Overall
four themes were drawn from living with persistent rheumatoid arthritis i.e.
radical changes and limitations in one's life, an existence influenced by
painful symptoms and treatment, a dependency on those who are close by and the
world around and a continual struggle to cope with one's life and to conquer the
illness.
The
life world was influenced to a varying extent and in many ways by the illness
but also by the dependence on its treatment and care that was not experienced
as sufficiently meeting needs in terms of security, access to and coordination
of care plus team and rehabilitation facilities.
Persistent
rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment necessitate a radical effect on the
person's life and quality of life. The individual requirements of a person with
rheumatoid arthritis is not met with the present ordinary rheumatology care in
a favorable way.
Efficient
development of care and the relief of suffering can be achieved by a
considerable knowledge about and understanding of the person who lives with
persistent rheumatoid arthritis. A holistic approach to conventional clinical
practice, like person-centred care, could be regarded as an innovative model of
care. The explorations of this study might serve as data for educational and
counselling purposes for healthcare professionals.
Journal of clinical nursing
Living with persistent rheumatoid arthritis: a BARFOT study
Sidona-Valentina Bala et al.
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