[Wilson disease--evaluation of disease-related topics through the eyes of patients by patient-generated paintings--a cooperative study with the German patient organisation Verein morbus Wilson e. V].
BACKGROUND
The importance of disease-related topics can vary widely between patients and doctors. Patient organisations such as the German Verein Morbus Wilson e. V. can overcome this discrepancy. The goal of the present cooperative study was the collection of topics important to Wilson patients by asking patients to generate paintings about their disease.


METHODS
Patients with Wilson disease were asked by mail to draw paintings about their disease and to donate them to the Verein Morbus Wilson e. V.


RESULTS
32 paintings from 27 patients were donated. The majority of the patients added written comments to their art work. Disease-related topics included in the paintings were as follows: psychological work-up of the disease 33 % (n = 11), presentation of affected organs (liver/brain) 22 % (n = 6), therapy 19 % (n = 5), diagnostic path 15 % (n = 4), inheritance 15 % (n = 4), copper-related diet 11 % (n = 3). 33 % (n = 11) of the paintings were composed of two parts reflecting before and after the disease or presenting the individual time course of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological aspects of disease acceptance are the prominent topic in the paintings. The timepoint of diagnosis is experienced as major change in life. The paintings enable both the patient organisation and the caretakers to put more focus on the psychological aspects of the disease. Asking for paintings opens a new channel for patient-physician contacts and produces a feeling of interest and competence in patients.
Schäfer
M
M
Abteilung Gastroenterologie und Infektionskrankheiten, Medizinische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, Heidelberg. kontakt@dr-schaefer-praxis.de
Weiss
K H
KH
Merle
U
U
Stremmel
W
W
Rasp
B
B
D001294:Attitude to Health; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010151:Paintings / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult