Attaining self-care in infertility treatment.
This grounded theory study explored 25 couples' perceptions as they underwent infertility assessment and treatment. Constant comparative analysis was used to develop a substantive theory of attaining self-care in infertility treatment. This theory describes infertile patients' movement from a passive to an active role. The process consists of four sequential phases: (a) perceiving that physicians lack a complete picture; (b) actively acquiring knowledge; (c) taking control; and (d) being satisfied with treatment. These findings offer a self-care model that nurses can initiate on behalf of infertile and similar patients responding to long-term, highly technological treatment.
J L
JL
Blenner
D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D012648:Self Care