Clients' experiences of living at home with a mechanical ventilator.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports on a study of how clients experience living with home mechanical ventilation and how they experience care and supervision of healthcare personnel.


BACKGROUND
The number of people living at home with mechanical ventilators is increasing, and this is considered a successful approach to reducing incapacity and mortality.


METHODS
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 service users in 2006. The informants were 18-75 years old and had varying diagnoses and levels of functioning. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed and analysed by qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
Two main themes emerged: Theme 1. Having a home ventilator enhances quality of life--a life worth living. The ventilator treatment builds up strength and improves well-being. Participants emphasized that it was important to feel in control of their own situation and had an overriding wish to live a normal and active life; Theme 2. Competence and continuity of healthcare personnel are factors for success. The experience was that competence and follow-up by healthcare personnel varied, and that good quality teaching and information were important.


CONCLUSIONS
Users of home mechanical ventilators should be active partners in their own care so that their experience is taken into account. It is important for clients having home mechanical ventilation to be empowered and have control in their daily lives, as well as having competent caregivers and continuity of care.
Ballangrud
Randi
R
Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway.
Bogsti
Wenche Bergseth
WB
Johansson
Inger Signe
IS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical; D055815:Young Adult