Jerpseth H, Knutsen IR, Jensen KT, Halvorsen K. Mirror of shame: Patients experiences of late-stage COPD. A qualitative study.
J Clin Nurs 2021;
30:2854-2862. [PMID:
33934413 DOI:
10.1111/jocn.15792]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
This study aims to shed light on patients with late-stage COPD and their experiences of shame.
BACKGROUND
Patients with COPD often experience shame for bringing the disease into their lives due to smoking. Knowledge about patients with COPD and their feelings of shame is crucial, but limited, however.
DESIGN
The study has a qualitative and explorative design. We interviewed twelve patients with late-stage COPD. The data were analysed using Kvale and Brinkmann's three interpretative contexts. The COREQ checklist was used.
RESULTS
Three main themes were defined; the body as a mirror of shame; a sense of being unworthy, invisible and powerless; and that sharing the burden is too difficult. The participants experienced that the disease defined their value as human beings and that made them feel vulnerable, ashamed and more socially isolated.
CONCLUSIONS
The participants experienced feelings of shame, guilt and self-blame due to their own perceptions of themselves. They were in doubt about whether they were worthy to receive care and comfort from both health professionals and, their family and friends. The participants seemed to have internalised the moral norms of contemporary society and the understanding that the disease, and especially a 'self-inflicted' disease, is a personal weakness.
RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
Findings from this study show that patients struggle with feelings such as shame and misery. The nurses who work bedside are in continuous contact with the patients and have an opportunity to gain knowledge of these feelings in order to meet the patients' needs for comfort and care. They have an obligation to ask patients about their feelings and meet them with empathy and respect. Moreover, it is necessary to have interdisciplinary fora in clinical practice where health professionals reflect, discuss and challenge themselves according to attitudes towards patients with so-called 'self-inflicted' diseases.
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