Abstract
There are often big differences between the patients and the healthcare workers view of what happen to the body when we get chronically ill. By listening to the patients needs, it may be possible to reduce the gap between these two different views of reality.
The purpose of this study was to gain increased knowledge of how it is to live with a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis, and what consequences it has for activities of daily living — and the need for health care. The main aim of the study was to enhance the patients own experience.
Based on a phenomenological philosophy and method, six patients with server rheumatoid arthritis where interviewed. The analysis of the material was based on Giorgi (13), who has developed a method of analysis inspired by Husserl and Merlau-Ponty, who are central philosophers within the phenomenological tradition.
The respondents tells that having a disease like rheumatoid arthritis leads to changes in the body. These changes gives limits to their lives. They do not regard these limitations as isolated phenomena, but are concerned about the consequences they have for the person itself, and the people close to them.
The respondents often expressed that their meeting with the healthcare-service made them feel incapable. In their view the healthcare-service has had a paternalistic attitude dominated by lack of information and empathy. In this study I have argued that the paternalistic attitude should be replaced by a “softer” maternalistic attitude. This will enable the patient to be included in their treatment to a greater extent, thus increasing the possibility for better control of their own lives and illness.