When the path falls away

Abstract

The prevalence of food allergies and intolerances among adults, also known as food hypersensitivities (FHSs), are on the rise. There is a gap in health services for this population. Increasing competencies of health care providers (HCPs) can start with an understanding of the problem from the perspective of those who live with FHSs. A purposive, asset-based sample of four women, who perceived themselves as living well with FHSs, were interviewed in this narrative inquiry. Participants were invited to reflect on their first-hand experiences of FHSs, their perceptions of dietetics care and their own journeys toward well-being. Data collection included an information gathering questionnaire (Appendix A), individual semi-structured interviews and participants’ drawings which they illustrated to assist storytelling. While the onset of an FHS brought uncertainty into the lives of participants, this article focuses on how learning themes reveal the importance of incorporating a more robust understanding of adult education in dietetic interventions through participants’ stories of moving toward well-being. The findings suggest that when supported by determinants of health, such as education and social support, transformative learning can be an important tool to mitigate the uncertainties related to the experience of an FHS. The research reveals that adult educators, with their grasp of adult learning processes and community engagement, could be an asset to the interprofessional health care team and improve the provision of person-centered care.