Patienters og pårørendes oplevelser af aktiv deltagelse under indlæggelse for kronisk obstruktiv lungesygdom

Abstract

Background.

Engaging patients and family members in healthcare is a central intention of health policy in many countries. Hospitalized patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be particularly challenged to participate actively in their own care. A better understanding of participating in care based on experiences of both patients and family members is needed in order to improve supportive care.

Aim.

To investigate experiences of patients with severe COPD and their family members of possibilities in participating in care during hospitalization.

Methods.

Three hospitalized patients with severe COPD and one family member were interviewed, and a phenomenological hermeneutical method was used to interpret the transcribed texts.

Findings.

Findings included one main theme consisting of three subthemes. The main theme, “Getting ready,” implies that participating includes efforts to prepare for discharge. The subthemes encompass the struggle to deal with contradictory challenges in “handling needs of help and support,” “handling needs of information,” and “handling needs of influence.”

Conclusion.

The complex process of participating in care of hospitalized COPD-patients is managed in processes of transitions according to personal coping and given supportive care. In order to improve supportive care healthcare professionals need to pay greater attention of engaging family members.