J Korean Acad Adult Nurs.  1997 Aug;9(2):297-312.

A Study on the Difficulties and Coping process of Ostomates

• Choi KS
• Kim MS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand and describe experience of the persons with colostomy using ethnographic method. Nine patients were interviewed by authors to explore the experience of the persons with colostomy. The data were collected using informal and in-depth interview, field notes, and medical records. The results were as follows : 1. The ostomates had experienced various physical and psychososcial difficulties in daily life. 1) The physical difficulties include the problems in the management of pouch, a formation of gas, skin irritation, diet control, sexual life, the loss of the sense of defecation, and fatigue. 2) The psychosocial difficulties were anxiety, a sense of disability, a feeling of shame being unable to accept the colostomy, a change in dressing, an economic burden, a withdrawal from social life, a burden of colostomy care, and a burden of sexual life. 2. The process of coping with these difficulties includes positive attitude to colostomy, the acceptance of colostomy care, and the mastery of colostomy care. 1) The positive attitude to colostomy was accomplished through personifying colostomy and positive thinking. 2) The acceptance of colostomy care was accomplished through physical recovery, passive acceptance, and a sense of independence. 3) The mastery of colostomy care was accomplished through diet control, acquirement of self care skills of colostomy. The results of the study might help nurses and other health care workers develop effective nursing interventions for ostomates by understanding ostomates' problems and their coping strategies.

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Bandages
Colostomy
Defecation
Delivery of Health Care
Diet
Fatigue
Humans
Medical Records
Nursing
Self Care
Shame
Skin
Thinking