Life Experience of Patients suffering from Crohn's Disease

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the experience process of life of patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS: Using a grounded theory methodology, 24 interviews were performed with 7 men and 5 women, 17-47 years of age, suffering from Crohn's disease. RESULTS: 'Tuning of two conflicting lives' was identified as the core category, and 5 subcategories were identified and they were integrated into the core category. The identified outcomes were 'Living a withdrawn life', 'coping flexibly', 'drifting with tangled emotions' and 'maintaining long-term remission'. CONCLUSION: When caring for these patients, it is important to identify needs, allow patients to express what they want at that moment and support them in maintaining a daily life that can be perceived as normal.