scholarly journals Dealing with Chronic Illness: Experiences of Iranian Families of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis—A Qualitative Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Ebrahimi ◽  
Hadi Hasankhani ◽  
Hossein Namdar ◽  
Esmail Khodadadi ◽  
Marjaneh Fooladi

Background. Today family members are providing care and support to each other during illness. In particular, in chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis, the families are more involved in caring for and supporting their patients, so they use several strategies to cope with this situation. The purpose of this study was to explore the coping strategies in family caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis in Iran. Methods. This is a qualitative study that was conducted through 18 family caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis. A purposeful sampling method was used. Data were collected through semistructured and in-depth interviews conducted in Multiple Sclerosis Society and hospitals of Tabriz in Iran. The collected data was analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. Results. Five main categories were elicited from interviews: “using spirituality,” “living with hope,” “experiencing persistence and stability,” “seeking support,” and “seeking alternative treatments.” Conclusion. The study findings can help to inform the support given to families to help them cope with the effects of caring for someone with multiple sclerosis. Health system managers and professionals by using these results are able to support patients and their families appropriately in order to improve their quality of life and alleviate the complications of disease.

2020 ◽  
Vol V (III) ◽  
pp. 191-201
Author(s):  
Misbah Arshad ◽  
Bushra Bibi

The present qualitative study aimed in-depth exploration of dyadic coping among couples dealing with chronic illness. There were 12 couples (six females and six males) with chronic illness and their healthy partners were interviewed. The in-depth interviews were conducted through interview guide based on Systematic Transactional Model (STM) (Bodenmann, 1995) and lived experiences of participants. The results were analyzed by using (Braun & Clarke, 2006) method of thematic analysis. The results revealed that female diagnosed partners showed less supportive dyadic coping to deal with physical and emotional burden of their chronic illnesses as compared to chronically ill male partners. However, the economic hardships is equally stressful for both members of the couples resulted in negative dyadic coping. The therapeutic assistance should be given to improve the dyadic coping among couples to deal with burden of chronic illness and live with better quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
zahra Rouhparvar ◽  
mojgan javadnoori ◽  
Shadab Shahali

Abstract BackgroundChildren's sexual education has an important role in adolescent sexual health; however sexual upbringing is one of the most challenging dimensions of education for families, especially in Muslim societies experiencing transition to modernity. There is little information about sexuality upbringing for boys in Iran. The present study aimed to explain parents' strategies in the sexual upbringing of adolescent boys in Iran. MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted in 2017 in Ahvaz, Iran. The qualitative data were collected through a purposeful sampling method, with a maximum variation by conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews and focused group discussions with 27 parents from the middle/high social class having 10-19-year-old adolescent sons. Qualitative data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. ResultsParents' strategies for their sons’ sexuality upbringing emerged in five categories: control, monitoring, and restriction; abstinence as the main content of sexual upbringing; endeavoring for peace and tolerance; Criticizing the pathologic attitude to sexual instinct; and hope for social learning. The theme "Struggling to bridge the inter-generation gap" emerged from the categories. Conclusion Iranian parents are facing uncertainty regarding sexual education for their adolescent boys. All approaches finally resulted in abstinence. Abstinence is the central concept in their sexuality upbringing style for their sons. so, sexual relationship is a red line issue in sexuality upbringing. Their conservative peaceful approach tries to reduce the intergeneration gap.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 817-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geok Ling Lee ◽  
Mandy Yen Ling Ow ◽  
Ramaswamy Akhileswaran ◽  
Grace Su Yin Pang ◽  
Gilbert Kam Tong Fan ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Firoozeh BAIRAMI ◽  
Amirhossein TAKIAN ◽  
Ali AKBARI SARI ◽  
Iraj HARIRCHI ◽  
Minoo ALIPOURI SAKHA

Background: Healthcare systems are always facing increasing public demands to provide better services. Therefore, countries always need more resources and are constantly seeking more fiscal space for health. Freeing up resources through improving efficiency can be a practical option for all settings, particularly countries with low resources. This study aimed to identify feasible options for expanding fiscal space through efficiency within Iran’s healthcare system. Methods: This was a qualitative study. We conducted 29 semi-structured in-depth interviews with stakeholders at various levels of healthcare system in 2017 and 2018. We used mixed method (deductive and inductive) qualitative content analysis. Pre-defined themes extracted from literature and meanwhile new subthemes were developed and added to the initial framework. Results: We identified three main themes that affect the efficiency of healthcare system in Iran: administration, implementation, and monitoring. Problematic administration, inappropriate implementation and lack of good monitoring in healthcare initiatives may lead to inefficiencies and wasting resources. Recognizing these leakages in every healthcare system can free up some resources. Conclusion: Irrespective of their economic development, all countries may, to some extent, face limited resources to address ever-increasing needs in their healthcare systems. While generating new resources is not always possible, enhancing efficiency to expand fiscal space might be a feasible option. Healthcare systems should identify the leakages and respond to wastages with appropriate planning. Getting the most out of current resources is possible through proper administration, good implementation and a well-established monitoring system for healthcare initiatives.


2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maggie Somerset ◽  
Deborah Sharp ◽  
Rona Campbell

Objectives: Many people who live with long-term illness experience a decline in their quality of life. The primary aim of this qualitative study was to identify aspects of life that contributed to the quality of the lives of people who had one particular chronic illness, namely multiple sclerosis (MS). A secondary aim was to use this information to highlight areas where there was potential for effective intervention by health or social services. Methods: Sixteen people with MS who lived in a variety of circumstances and had a range of disabilities were interviewed in depth. Views relating to personal experience of chronic illness, diagnosis, living with disability, and conventional and alternative treatments were explored. Transcripts were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Results: Analysis of the interviews revealed that being subjectively reasonably happy and as socially active as desired was central to an acceptable quality of life. The extent of the personal control that participants were able to exert and their individual illness trajectory were found to be central to whether or not this aim was achieved. In addition, the importance of social comparison was revealed, although its influence upon quality of life was somewhat inconsistent. A number of other factors were found to play an influential role in the quality of people's lives. These are described and plausible links between factors are proposed. Conclusions: Many aspects of living with chronic illness are unavoidable, but health or social intervention can affect others. Inappropriate personal assistance may result in dependency, which detracts from personal control and worsens quality of life. When appropriate, however, support may have beneficial consequences. By recognising the specific factors that link personal control and the illness trajectory, appropriate and timely support can be negotiated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Hossein Ebrahimi ◽  
Hadi Hasankhani ◽  
Hossein Namdar ◽  
Esmail Khodadadi ◽  
Marjaneh Fooladi

Author(s):  
Domingo Palacios-Ceña ◽  
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas ◽  
María Palacios-Ceña ◽  
Ana I de-la-Llave-Rincón ◽  
Lidiane L Florencio

Abstract Objective Knowledge of the experiences of health care professionals who have actively worked on the first line of the COVID-19 pandemic could help in identifying specific professional duties focused on health assistance objectives. No qualitative study has yet been published describing the experience of physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the experiences and perspectives of physical therapists working in public hospitals in Madrid, Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A qualitative exploratory study was conducted based on an interpretive framework. Thirty physical therapists working at 11 national public hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak were recruited by purposeful sampling and snowball techniques. In-depth interviews and researchers’ field notes were used to collect data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes. Results After identifying 3912 codes and 13 categories, 3 themes emerged. First theme was “Call of Duty,” COVID-19 infection dramatically spread, the hospitals were contaminated and overwhelmed, and all floors were converted into COVID-19 wards. Second theme was “Working in War Time.” Every day, therapists were given “the war report,” receiving their orders, meeting protective personal equipment requirements, and doing a job with fear. Third theme was “When I Arrive at Home.” Working during the pandemic had an impact on the therapists’ families and the information shared with them. Conclusions Physical therapists described the COVID-19 outbreak as an apocalyptic and unexpected war. Comprehensive support is needed for all frontline health care professionals. The COVID-19 outbreak revealed that health care systems were not prepared for a pandemic. Impact This is the first qualitative study to be published describing the experience of physical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (15) ◽  
pp. 395-401
Author(s):  
Wahyuni Zahrah

In Medan, Indonesia, shop houses are famous buildings, though they have spatial and thermal comfort limitations. This investigation aims to find out the essence of shop house women residents' quality of life. This research is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. The collection of data used in-depth interviews with seven women dwellers. The research indicates that the quality of life in women's view is not determined by mere material abundance, but rather by feeling sufficient and gratitude. This research can contribute to enriching the quality of life and built environment studies of urban mixed-use living.   Keywords: shop house; quality of life; women; mixed-use living eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.2495.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aloysius Chow ◽  
Sok Huang Teo ◽  
Jing Wen Kong ◽  
Simon Biing Ming Lee ◽  
Yee Kiat Heng ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Teledermatology is a cost-effective treatment modality for the management of skin disorders. Most evaluations use quantitative data and far less is understood about the patients’ experience. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study explores patients’ perceptions of a teledermatology service linking public primary care clinics to the national specialist dermatology clinic in Singapore. A better understanding of patients’ experiences can help refine and develop the care provided. METHODS Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with patients who had been referred to the teledermatology service. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed before undergoing thematic content analysis. RESULTS Twenty-one patients aged between 22 and 72 years were recruited. Three themes were identified from the data of patients’ experiences: positive perceptions of teledermatology, concerns about teledermatology, and ideas for improving the teledermatology service. Patients found the teledermatology service convenient, saving them time, expense and liberating them from the stresses incurred when making an in-person visit to a specialist facility. They valued the confidence and reassurance they gained from having a dermatologist involved in their management plan. Their concerns included data security and the quality of the images shared. Nonetheless, they were keen to see the service expanded beyond the polyclinics. Their experiences and perceptions will inform future service refinement and development. CONCLUSIONS This narrative exploration of users’ experiences of teledermatology produced rich data enabling a better understanding of the patient’s journey, the way they understand and interpret their experiences, and ideas for service refinement. Telemedicine reduces travelling and enables safe distancing, factors that are much needed during pandemics.


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