Helsepersonells anerkjennelse av personer med hydrocephalus påvirker selvfölelsen
Sammanfattning
Background: Hydrocephalus is a chronic illness that often requires lifelong follow-up by
healthcare personnel. However, the illness is not well known, and the symptoms are often
invisible. This may make it dicult for patients to be taken seriously when interacting with
healthcare personnel. The patient perspective in the treatment of hydrocephalus appears to
be under-researched.
Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate and describe experiences related to
recognition from healthcare personnel for people with hydrocephalus.
Method: This is a descriptive, explorative study that employs a qualitative methodology. We
conducted 13 individual interviews and one focus group discussion with adults with
hydrocephalus. Hermeneutical principles were used generally in the analysis and
interpretation. The analysis was inspired by qualitative content analysis.
Results: The analysis revealed four main categories:
* to be believed and acknowledged
* to be mistrusted and ignored
* to promote mental and emotional balance
* to contribute to mental and emotional imbalance
Conclusion: The experience of being recognised when interacting with healthcare personnel
can be highly signicant for how people with hydrocephalus perceive themselves and their
situation. The results indicate that recognition can lead to empowerment, while a lack of
recognition can contribute to powerlessness. Empowerment at individual level can be
described as having a sense of control over one’s own life and health.