Altered body image: the psychosocial needs of patients.
The psychosocial consequences of a disfiguring condition are well recognized. However, severity does not predict distress, and conditions in which the disfiguration is relatively minor can be disturbing. While the appearance-related concerns of patients with so-called 'minor' conditions such as acne are gradually being reported, body image changes that occur as a result of other conditions and/or their treatment are often overlooked. This article describes an audit of the appearance-related concerns of patients with rheumatic disease and outlines ways in which community nurses might elicit their concerns and address their needs.
Rumsey
Nichola
N
Centre for Appearance Research, University of the West of England, Bristol.
Clarke
Alex
A
Musa
Mayrem
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001828:Body Image; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009731:Nursing Audit; D011788:Quality of Life; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires