Abstract
Background: Quality of life has been thoroughly researched in SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) patients (1). These studies reveal that ''uncertainty'' is a common phenomenon. Uncertainty is linked to existential thoughts and emotions in patients with a chronic illness (2, 3).
In researching the basic level of human existence, is the use of thematic structures of the lifeworld, called ''existentials'', relevant (4). Existential themes serve as a guide in the phenomenological/hermeneutic research process and enhance our comprehension about the patient's existential thoughts, emotions and life. This knowledge is important in a nursing perspective to get a deeper understanding of the daily life with SLE.
Objectives: To obtain an in-depth understanding of existential circumstances in life as it is lived with SLE.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 5 SLE women were transcribed. Inspired by phenomenological philosophy each interview was divided into 3 existentials: Lived Body - Lived Space and Lived Time. Each existential were theoretical interpreted using theories by Maurice Merleau-Pony, Kay Toombs and Niels Thomassen (3,5,6).
Results: Lived Body is characterized by a forced attention from various symptoms of the body, which give a feeling of alienation of one self. The illness demands attention and the patient is caught in these circumstances which causes a feeling of powerlessness and limitation.
Lived Space is characterized by a feeling of anxiety. This feeling is based on the unforeseeable character of the disease and the dependency of the medication and hospital visits. In philosophy, anxiety is linked to our existential space, thereby limiting the existence.
Lived Time is characterized by a feeling of existential stagnation and a feeling of being separated from the motion of life. The feelings of being left behind or struggling to keep up the speed are profound and limit the daily existence.
Conclusion: This study shows that existential thoughts and emotions are forced upon the patient's life. Existential limitations in lived body, space and time form an essential theme of ''Life-Limitations''.
The essential theme incorporates the experience of limitation in all three existentials and establishes the mutual connection between the existential structures of the lifeworld.
References:[ol][li]McElhorn, K et al. ''A review of health related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus''. Lupus (2006); 15; 633[/li][li]Mishel, M (1999). Uncertainty in Chronic Illness. Annual review of nursing Research, vol 17. Edt. Joyce Fitzpatrick[/li][li]Toombs SK (1993). The meaning of illness. Kluwer academic publishers.[/li][li]Van Manen,M. Researching lived experience. 1990.[/li][li]Merleau-Ponty, M (1958). Phenomenology of Perception. Rootledge Classics.[/li][li]Thomassen, N (2001). Ulykke og lykke. Gyldendal.
In researching the basic level of human existence, is the use of thematic structures of the lifeworld, called ''existentials'', relevant (4). Existential themes serve as a guide in the phenomenological/hermeneutic research process and enhance our comprehension about the patient's existential thoughts, emotions and life. This knowledge is important in a nursing perspective to get a deeper understanding of the daily life with SLE.
Objectives: To obtain an in-depth understanding of existential circumstances in life as it is lived with SLE.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 5 SLE women were transcribed. Inspired by phenomenological philosophy each interview was divided into 3 existentials: Lived Body - Lived Space and Lived Time. Each existential were theoretical interpreted using theories by Maurice Merleau-Pony, Kay Toombs and Niels Thomassen (3,5,6).
Results: Lived Body is characterized by a forced attention from various symptoms of the body, which give a feeling of alienation of one self. The illness demands attention and the patient is caught in these circumstances which causes a feeling of powerlessness and limitation.
Lived Space is characterized by a feeling of anxiety. This feeling is based on the unforeseeable character of the disease and the dependency of the medication and hospital visits. In philosophy, anxiety is linked to our existential space, thereby limiting the existence.
Lived Time is characterized by a feeling of existential stagnation and a feeling of being separated from the motion of life. The feelings of being left behind or struggling to keep up the speed are profound and limit the daily existence.
Conclusion: This study shows that existential thoughts and emotions are forced upon the patient's life. Existential limitations in lived body, space and time form an essential theme of ''Life-Limitations''.
The essential theme incorporates the experience of limitation in all three existentials and establishes the mutual connection between the existential structures of the lifeworld.
References:[ol][li]McElhorn, K et al. ''A review of health related quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus''. Lupus (2006); 15; 633[/li][li]Mishel, M (1999). Uncertainty in Chronic Illness. Annual review of nursing Research, vol 17. Edt. Joyce Fitzpatrick[/li][li]Toombs SK (1993). The meaning of illness. Kluwer academic publishers.[/li][li]Van Manen,M. Researching lived experience. 1990.[/li][li]Merleau-Ponty, M (1958). Phenomenology of Perception. Rootledge Classics.[/li][li]Thomassen, N (2001). Ulykke og lykke. Gyldendal.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Publikationsdato | 11 jun. 2009 |
| Status | Udgivet - 11 jun. 2009 |
| Udgivet eksternt | Ja |