“In nursing, hope is defined as a power that helps a person adapt to a situation, such as during suffering” (Lichwala, 2014, p.1). Unfortunately, this power is sometimes lacking in patients who are facing a chronic illness, often leading way to hopelessness. When facing a chronic illness, patients may find themselves on a seemingly hopeless journey, sometimes full of questions, doubts, and worries. “Negative feelings and expectations about one’s future, along with negative thoughts and feelings toward changing one’s future encompass hopelessness” (Dameron, 2014, p.1). Hopelessness may be experienced by both patients’ along with their families when facing a chronic illness. Signs of hopelessness may include thoughts of dark, vague, or an uncertain …show more content…
For example, it has been discovered through multiple studies that hopelessness and poor coping strategies have been associated with poor symptom management among patients. In a study among patients diagnosed with cancer, hopelessness was felt due to certain aspects of their illness, including when symptoms of pain and fatigue presented themselves. Although many factors, including treatments and associated side effects may stimulate hopelessness, it’s important to note that “experiences and expression of hopelessness are often worse at diagnosis and during fluctuations in symptoms” (Souza et al., 2013, p.1). Patients in this study reported that when they experienced pain or other poorly controlled side effects, they felt a sense of hopelessness and depression (Sachs et al., 2013). Patients reported feeling a better sense of hope when their pain is controlled and managed. The study mentioned that hopelessness decreased and an increased sense of hope was reported even when patients were referred to hospice care for pain control (Sachs et al., 2013). In addition to pain, patients who reported persistent fatigue that interfered with their daily life also reported lower levels of hope. The loss of hope experienced through poor symptom management may be present with any type of chronic illness. In any case, a loss of hope …show more content…
First and foremost, it is essential that health care providers remain empathetic, knowledgeable and non-judgemental towards people facing a chronic illness. This will allow the patient to feel comfortable with their health care provider and help instill a sense of trust within the relationship. Several researchers postulated that hope evolves from a therapeutic relationship between patient and care provider, within which the patient feels heard, valued and respected (Hawthorn, 2015). This idea reflects the major importance of active listening by health care providers. Throughout the therapeutic relationship, it is beyond important for health care providers to refrain from pretending to understand what their patient may be experiencing or going through in terms of their chronic illness. “Findings from an early study by (Thorne, 1990) documented that chronically ill patients and their families often found that most health care providers could not be trusted to understand the requirements of managing a chronic health condition” (Bucher, Camera, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Lewis, 2014, p.75). This finding raises an important reminder that the patients are the most valuable and knowledgeable source of information concerning their illness, and that the greatest understanding of the illness will be
When it comes to a bad diagnosis it is often difficult for doctors to tell their patients this devastating news. The doctor will likely hold back from telling the patient the whole truth about their health because they believe the patient will become depressed. However, Schwartz argues that telling the patient the whole truth about their illness will cause depression and anxiety, but rather telling the patient the whole truth will empower and motivate the patient to make the most of their days. Many doctors will often also prescribe or offer treatment that will likely not help their health, but the doctors do so to make patients feel as though their may be a solution to the problem as they are unaware to the limited number of days they may have left. In comparison, people who are aware there is no cure to their diagnosis and many choose to live their last days not in the hospital or pain free from medications without a treatment holding them back. They can choose to live their last days with their family and will have more time and awareness to handle a will. Schwartz argues the importance of telling patients the truth about their diagnosis and communicating the person’s likely amount of time left as it will affect how the patient chooses to live their limited
When we see patients, we must remember that we are not simply treating a disease. We are caring for people with lives, hobbies, jobs, families, and friends, who are likely in a very vulnerable position. We must ensure that we use the status of physicians to benefit patients first and foremost, and do what we promised to when we entered the profession: provide care and improve quality of life, and hopefully leave the world a little better than it was
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a life-altering event. During this time, life is not only difficult for the patient, but also for their loved ones. Families must learn to cope together and to work out the best options for the patient and the rest of the family. Although it may not be fair at times, things may need to be centered on or around the patient no matter what the circumstance. (Abbott, 2003) Sacrifices may have to be made during difficult times. Many factors are involved when dealing with chronic illnesses. Coping with chronic illnesses alter many different emotions for the patients and the loved ones. Many changes occur that are very different and difficult to get used to. (Abbott, 2003) It is not easy for someone to sympathize with you when they haven’t been in the situation themselves. No matter how many books they read or people they talk to, they cannot come close to understanding.
A competent and supportive medical staff is highly important when it comes to coping with chronic illness adequately. Both your primary and specialist doctors
Mishel’s Uncertainty of Illness Theory is a middle-range theory indicating the theory is not overly broad or narrow (Black, 2014). The theory was developed from studying men with prostate cancer who were watchfully waiting for the advancing signs of their disease (Black, 2014). The theory has three main components, which incorporate: the antecedents of uncertainty, impaired cognitive appraisal, and coping with uncertainty in illness (Neville, 2003). The antecedents of Mishel’s theory are the stimulus frame, cognitive capacities and event congruence (Neville, 2003). The stimulus frame concerns three parts including: symptom pattern, event familiarity and event congruency (Neville, 2003). Symptom pattern may be when symptoms of illness present with consistency to form a pattern (Elphee, 2008). Event familiarity refers to the repetitive nature of the healthcare environment and not necessarily the physical characteristics of the disease (Elphee, 2008). Elphee also defines event congruence as the cor...
...concerns appropriate interventions were assigned to each one. For the priority concern of the family’s ability to cope and their risk of depression commendation and interventative questioning were the chosen interventions. For the priority concern of Gilberts care giver burnout and risk for compassion fatigue commendation and encouraging respite were chosen. The Grape family is a fitting example of the complex difficulties a family can have when they are faced with the difficulty of dealing with a chronic illness and tragedy. This paper demonstrates the importance of assessing and creating interventions for a family in a way which includes every member of the family not only the ones with complications. Raising the question should patients who are suffering from chronic illnesses better off to be treated as an individual or as a member of a functional family unit?
During my career as a registered nurse I have had the privilege of caring for my patients at the bedside and meeting their needs holistically. Additionally, the safety of my patients is one of the most important aspects of my current role. The experience of advocating for my patients during my nursing career has taught me to place my patient’s health and wellbeing first. The second most important aspect of nursing that I have learned during my career is how to meet my patient’s needs as a whole, not just physically but also emotionally and psychologically applying the holistic approach to each patient. I believe that the patient’s needs
There are many ways to categorize illness and disease; one of the most common is chronic illness. Many chronic illnesses have been related to altered health maintenance hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are associated with diet and stress, deficient in exercise, tobacco use, and obesity (Craven 2009). Some researchers define the chronic illness as diseases which have long duration and generally slow development (WHO 2013); it usually takes 6 month or longer than 6 month, and often for the person's life. It has a sluggish onset and eras of reduction for vanishing the symptoms and exacerbation for reappear the symptoms. Some of chronic illness can be directly life-threatening. Others remain over time and need intensive management, such as diabetes, so chronic illness affects physical, emotional, logical, occupational, social, or spiritual functioning. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, all of these diseases are the cause of mortality in the world, representing 63% of all deaths. So a chronic illness can be stressful and may change the way a person l...
The uncertain nature of chronic illness takes many forms, but all are long-term and cannot be cured. The nature of chronic illness raises hesitation. It can disturb anyone, irrespective of demographics or traditions. It fluctuates lives and generates various inquiries for the patient. Chronic illness few clear features involve: long-lasting; can be managed but not cured; impacts quality of life; and contribute to stress. Chronic illnesses can be enigmatic. They often take considerable time to identify, they are imperceptible and often carry a stigma because there is little sympathetic or social support. Many patients receive inconsistent diagnoses at first and treatments deviate on an individual level. Nevertheless, some circumstances require
This is the case because their health conditions are complex, and this translates into a complex intervention. To further complicate matters, it is often the case that patients are either unable or unwilling to collaborate and assertively participate in their own care. When talking about complex interventions, there are multiple (intrinsic and extrinsic) factors that need to be considered. These factors or components not only include “the behaviors and their parameters and methods of organizing and delivering them of the care providers, but also variations in the client group or population that receive the interventions… as well as the number and variability of potential health outcomes” (Thompson & Clark, 2012, p. 277). This means that there will be case-specific elements beyond the nurse’s control, so it will be critical for establishing trust and collaboration with patients and their
One aspect of life that most individuals take for granted is physical health. Most people assume that an individual cannot lose physical health or if somebody becomes sick the health care system will be able to recover one’s health with the new medical advances that are always happening around the world. However, this is not always the case some individuals have to face a chronic loss of health and deal with the implications of this on their life. The loss of health I will be talking about today is not a direct loss of personal health, but a loss of health that my father experiences and how different components of this loss affected my family and I’s life.
... the context of chronic illness: a family health promoting process. Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronis Illness 3, (3), 283-92.
A patient’s treatment needs may differ widely based on stage of their illness experience. Treatment for a newly diagnosed, moderately ill patient may be very different than the treatment of an end stage, seriously ill patient. In addition, working with patients in various settings as a part of their multi-disciplinary team requires an added consideration of the approach to the staff in the setting. Each patient care setting has a culture of it’s own and requires that a clinician be mindful of how to work with the staff as well as the patient in that particular
Dr. Merle Mishel is an American, nursing theorist who is accredited with the creation of the uncertainty in illness theory and measurement scale. She holds both a master 's degree in psychiatric nursing and a PhD in social psychology. She has accrued many distinguished awards and honors for her works showcasing her expertise in dealing with psychosocial responses to cancer and chronic illness and also the best interventions to manage the hardship and stress that can accompany uncertainty when it comes to illness. Dr. Mishel, currently she holds a position at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing as a Kenan Professor of Nursing, where she continues her teachings, research and advocating of cancer patients and those with
...s all that is occurring, to practice gaining insight into their illness. When a patient has insight they will then be open for judgment and learning. Coping in my area of nursing is critical for optimal levels of growth within the patient. Chemically dependent individuals have poor coping skills; it is what has lead them to their addiction. I often ask my patient’s to practice relaxation techniques for coping with daily stressors or acute anxiety from withdrawal. Relaxation techniques include verbalizing thoughts/feelings, journaling, deep breathing techniques, and meditation. As a nurse I give tough love to my chemically dependent patient’s, I want them to know that they have not always been “here”, which is often described by patients as the “the lowest point” of their life, that things are constantly in movement, and to be open for the journey to their freedom.