Overcoming challenges: life with an ostomy.
BACKGROUND
Studies have demonstrated decreased health-related quality of life in patients with stomas.


METHODS
Using US Department of Veterans Affairs electronic medical records, veterans with stomas were surveyed using the City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy questionnaire. Focus groups were conducted segregated by type of stoma (ileostomy vs colostomy) and quality-of-life score (high vs low). Qualitative analysis was performed on the basis of the City of Hope Quality of Life for Ostomates format of health-related quality of life (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual). The findings of the colostomy focus groups are reported.


RESULTS
Two new domains emerged: colostomy specific and health care specific. The most common domains discussed were colostomy specific, psychological, and social. The most frequently discussed colostomy-specific theme was effective and ineffective solutions to colostomy care. Family and spousal relationships were the main theme from the psychological category. The predominant social issue was sexual relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of patients' social, psychological, and medical status allows surgeons to identify those likely to have problems and devote resources to those veterans.
Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Sarah
S
Popek
Marcia
M
Grant
Robin
R
Gemmill
Christopher S
CS
Wendel
M Jane
MJ
Mohler
Susan M
SM
Rawl
Carol M
CM
Baldwin
Clifford Y
CY
Ko
C Max
CM
Schmidt
Robert S
RS
Krouse
D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010030:Ostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*