Living as Severe COPD Patient: Life of Stepping on the Thin Ice.
- Author:
Sung Reul KIM
1
;
Yun Ok KIM
;
Kyoung Min KWON
Author Information
1. Asan Medical center, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Life experience;
COPD patients;
Phenomenology
- MeSH:
Dyspnea;
Freedom;
Humans;
Ice;
Life Change Events;
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive;
Respiration;
Stress, Psychological
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing
2010;22(6):663-675
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the life experiences of patients with a severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). METHODS: The data were collected through in-depth interviews of six patients suffering from severe COPD. The interviewed data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy. The Giorgi method of phenomenology was used for analyzing data. RESULTS: Eight themes forming the, units of meaning, were: Repeated and Unpredictable Suffering of Dyspnea, Confidence Loss/Exhaustion Life due to non-efficient breathing, Gradually Deprived Liberty, Absolute Being to Sustaining my life, Source of Burden but Significant Person I am in the Family, Endless Tug-of-War-Capability/Endeavor to Breath, Longing for my Life, and Dead-end of breathing. CONCLUSION: The study results provide an in-depth understanding of life experiences of patients suffering from severe COPD. The findings will be useful to nurses caring for this population.
