Giving an account of patients' experience: A qualitative study on the care process of hip and knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the publication of clinical practice guidelines, the quality of the care process as experienced by patients with osteoarthritis (OA) appears suboptimal.Hence, this study investigates how patients with OA experience their disease and care process, highlighting potential elements that can enhance or spoil it, to optimise their quality of care.Methods: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Patients with hip and knee OA in Italy were interviewed. The interview guide was created by a pool of health professionals and patients. The interviews were analysed through a themebased analysis following a philosophy of descriptive phenomenological research.Results: Our analysis revealed seven main themes: (1) Experiencing a sense of uncertainty, as interviewees perceived treatment choices not to be based on medical evidence; (2) Establishing challenging relationships with the self and the other, as they did not feel understood and felt ashamed or hopeless about their condition; (3) Being stuck in one's own or the health professionals' beliefs about the disease management, as a common thought was the perception of movement as something dangerous together with a frequent prescription of passive therapies; (4) Dealing with one's own attitudes towards the disease; Understanding (5) the barriers to and (6) the facilitators of the adherence to therapeutic exercise, which revolve around the therapy cost, the time needed and the patients' willingness to change their life habits and (7) Developing an uneasy relationship with food since the diet was considered as something that "you force yourself to follow" and overeating as a way "to eat your feelings". Conclusion:The lack of clear explanations and a negative attitude towards first-line nonsurgical treatments (mainly physical exercise), which are considered as a way to fill the time while waiting for surgery, underlines the importance of providing patients with adequate information about OA treatments and to better explain the

Patients’ Perceptions and Experiences during the Pre-Admission Phase for Total Hip Replacement Surgery: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study

“…With regard to the first theme, "Surgery generates mixed feelings," from the literature emerges the conclusion that patients feel that a sense of uncertainty prevails about the surgery and, specifically, what treatments should have been undertaken before. The most prevalent belief among patients is that undergoing surgery was an inevitable turning point from which there was no return [18]. Another sentiment reported by patients with HO is anxiety related to the waiting period for surgery.…”

Which lecturers’ characteristics facilitate the learning process? A qualitative study on students’ perceptions in the rehabilitation sciences

“…SB is a physiotherapist and PhD candidate, and temporary lecturer in ‘Teaching Methodology for Healthcare Professionals’. SB is trained in qualitative methodologies, with proficiency in conducting qualitative studies [ 16 , 17 ]. SB identifies as a man.…”

Experiences and perspectives related to shared decision-making among outpatients with degenerative joint disease in Taiwan: a qualitative study

“…Thus, in Asian countries, paternalistic, empathic and compassionate healthcare providers play an active role in making medical decisions for patients 20. Understanding the experiences and perspectives of patients with DJD may enhance their compliance 21. Nevertheless, although several studies have explored patient perspectives and experiences22 or have assessed methods for improving patient participation,23 few have included orthopaedic patients with lower back pain 24.…”