title: Ambiguous chronic illness in women: community health nursing concern.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore how women with ambiguous chronic illness, such as celiac disease and interstitial cystitis, cope with the difficulty of being diagnosed and the subsequent realities of daily life. A convenience sample of 15 women with chronic ambiguous illness in 4 geographic areas was interviewed via qualitative methods. Data were analyzed using conceptual coding and constant comparative methods. These categories were identified: persistence in obtaining a correct diagnosis, trivialization and stigmatization, embarrassment, being an inconvenience, and ways of coping. Women were misdiagnosed for years (R = 2 to 11) and felt dismissed as being depressed or hysterical. Yet, they emphasized that persistence in obtaining a correct diagnosis is essential even though it may mean suffering embarrassment and inconvenience. Suggestions for community health nurses to improve the lives of women with ambiguous chronic illness are offered.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88033, USA.
authors.forename: Julie E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000523:psychology; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000523:psychology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D012752:Shame; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*