title: Perceptions of recovery and prognosis from long-term conditions: The relevance of hope and imagined futures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Analyses of the experiences of chronic conditions demonstrate the importance of moral worth and social meaning linked to undertaking self-management practices. Rather less attention has been paid to the contemplation and significance of adopting, embedding and continuing with established practices overtime. This study explored perceptions about recovery and prognosis from the point of view of people with long-term physical health conditions and compared these findings with the mental health literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted incorporating semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Thirty-two participants identified as having a chronic long-term physical health condition such as heart disease and diabetes were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In line with the notions of recovery in the mental health field, respondents viewed recovery as a complex journey related to the ability to undertake things of value in everyday life. However, there were differences in relation to reflections on trajectories and imagined futures centred on physical health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings are discussed in the context of literature from the mental and physical health fields and recent health policies for those with long-term conditions. The study adds to existing literature by examining the similarities and differences in the experience of chronic physical and mental health conditions.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Helen.brooks@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pilgrim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Chronic illness; mental health and illness; qualitative analysis; recovery