Patients' Experiences of Performing Self-care of Stomas in the Initial Postoperative Period.
BACKGROUND
With the loss of an important bodily function and the distortion in body image, a stoma patient experiences physical, psychological, and social changes. With limited current studies exploring experiences of patients in the management of their stoma, there is a need to explore their experiences, their needs, and factors that influence their self-management.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate patients' experiences of performing self-care of stomas in the initial postoperative period.


METHODS
This study adopted a descriptive qualitative approach from the interpretive paradigm. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 patients 1 month postoperatively in a colorectal ward in a hospital in Singapore. Thematic analysis was applied to the interview data.


RESULTS
Five themes were identified: process of acceptance and self-management of stoma, physical limitations, psychological reactions, social support, and need for timely and sufficient stoma preparation and education.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the importance of health professionals' role in helping patients adjust preoperatively and postoperatively and accept the presence of a stoma. Health professionals need to be aware of the physical, psychological, and social impact of stoma on patients in the initial 30-day postoperative period.


CONCLUSIONS
Research findings informed the type and level of assistance and support to be offered to patients by nurses and the importance of encouraging patients to be involved in stoma care at an early stage, which will ultimately contribute to effective and independent self-management. Patients can be prepared preoperatively to reduce the psychological and social impact of stoma after creation of their stoma.
Author Affiliations: Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (Ms Lim and Drs Chan and He); and Division of Nursing, Singapore General Hospital (Ms Lim).
Siew Hoon
SH
Lim
Sally Wai Chi
SW
Chan
Hong-Gu
HG
He
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012846:Singapore; D012903:Smell; D054047:Surgical Stomas / Q000502:physiology*