J Korean Acad Nurs.  2014 Dec;44(6):639-648. 10.4040/jkan.2014.44.6.639.

Life Experiences of Korean Patients with Hansen's Disease in Sorok Island Hospital

• Yang YK

• KMID: 2129555
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2014.44.6.639

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify life experiences of Korean patients with Hansen's disease (leprosy).
METHODS
For this study, 5 participants from Sorok Island Hospital were purposively chosen. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews from June to July 2014. Data analysis method was based on Colaizzi's approach.
RESULTS
The study results showed that experiences of patients with Hansen's disease consisted of 14 themes and six theme clusters: 1) Bad disease approaching as fate; 2) Family breakup and far from the village; 3) New life in Sorok Island Hospital; 4) Treatment of Hansen's disease and disability; 5) Life in the disease community; 6) Comfort and hope of life.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study indicate that health care professionals should pay attention to patients with Hansen's disease not only to reduce their physical and psychological suffering, but also to help the community and public culture to reduce the social stigma surrounding this disease and causing suffering for the patients. The results of the present study can help us to have a better understanding of various aspects of patients' lived experiences.

Keyword

Hansen's disease; Leprosy; Life experiences; Infection; Phenomenography

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Family Relations
Female
Hospitals
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Leprosy/*pathology
*Life Change Events
Male
Questionnaires
Republic of Korea

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