title: Living with hepatitis C: a phenomenological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experience of adults living with hepatitis C over time.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus is a growing problem affecting thousands of people worldwide. The majority of individuals infected develop chronic liver disease, but treatment is not always successful, leaving many to live with the virus indefinitely. Experiences of living with hepatitis C are poorly understood yet essential to meet the needs of an increasing number of affected people.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study using a descriptive phenomenological methodology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unstructured interviews were conducted with 23 hepatitis C-positive individuals in the East of England; participants were interviewed twice within a year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data analysis revealed six themes of the experience of living with hepatitis C: hepatitis C and self; hepatitis C, self and others; self and handling hepatitis C; self and handling hepatitis C treatment issues; living with the consequences of hepatitis C; self, hepatitis C and thoughts of the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnosis of hepatitis C can disrupt people's sense of identity and trigger a life transition. A complex range of factors create uncertainty for people living with hepatitis C. Many struggle to make a healthy transition to life with the condition, instead living in a state of sustained uncertainty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses working within a chronic care framework of ongoing advice and support can improve experiences for those living with hepatitis C. Practice aimed at reducing both the disruptive effect of the diagnosis and the uncertainties it creates can help facilitate a transition to life with the disease.
authors.affiliation: University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfeil
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: chronic illness; descriptive phenomenology; healthcare provision; hepatitis C; lived experience; nursing practice; transition; uncertainty