Patients' experiences with metaphors in a solution-focused approach to improve self-management skills: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore how participants taking part in a session based on a solution-focused approach to enhance self-management skills experienced the metaphor "Captain of the ship" used in the educational material.


METHODS
A qualitative study with semi-structured focus group interviews with 16 participants in different self-management programmes. The educational material used the metaphor "Captain of the ship". The material had pictures of a turtle who was "Captain of the ship" in different situations. The pictures were accompanied by solution-focused questions.


RESULTS
Most of the participants found the metaphor "Captain of the ship" very helpful. They reported that it was easy to remember, enhanced the learning process, and could be used as a practical tool in everyday situations. Furthermore, the metaphor helped them to become more aware of their own responsibility for self-management.


CONCLUSIONS
The metaphor "Captain of the ship" was experienced as strengthening the messages from the solution-focused approach.
Department of Medicine, North-Trøndelag Health Trust, Namsos Hospital, Norway. hege.solberg@hnt.no
Hege
H
Solberg
Gerd E
GE
Nysether
Aslak
A
Steinsbekk
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D019365:Metaphor; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*