A Study on the Difficulties and Coping process of Ostomates.
- Author:
Kyung Sook CHOI
;
Myoung Sook KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- MeSH:
Anxiety;
Bandages;
Colostomy;
Defecation;
Delivery of Health Care;
Diet;
Fatigue;
Humans;
Medical Records;
Nursing;
Self Care;
Shame;
Skin;
Thinking
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing
1997;9(2):297-312
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to understand and describe experience of the persons with colostomy using ethnographic method. Nine patients were interviewed by authors to explore the experience of the persons with colostomy. The data were collected using informal and in-depth interview, field notes, and medical records. The results were as follows : 1. The ostomates had experienced various physical and psychososcial difficulties in daily life. 1) The physical difficulties include the problems in the management of pouch, a formation of gas, skin irritation, diet control, sexual life, the loss of the sense of defecation, and fatigue. 2) The psychosocial difficulties were anxiety, a sense of disability, a feeling of shame being unable to accept the colostomy, a change in dressing, an economic burden, a withdrawal from social life, a burden of colostomy care, and a burden of sexual life. 2. The process of coping with these difficulties includes positive attitude to colostomy, the acceptance of colostomy care, and the mastery of colostomy care. 1) The positive attitude to colostomy was accomplished through personifying colostomy and positive thinking. 2) The acceptance of colostomy care was accomplished through physical recovery, passive acceptance, and a sense of independence. 3) The mastery of colostomy care was accomplished through diet control, acquirement of self care skills of colostomy. The results of the study might help nurses and other health care workers develop effective nursing interventions for ostomates by understanding ostomates' problems and their coping strategies.
