Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 63. No. 1, 2024.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2024.63.01.4
Quality of life of ostomates – a qualitative study
Vanja Vasiljev
; Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
*
Marina Haring
; Department of Digestive Surgery, Rijeka University Hospital Center, Rijeka, Croatia
Denis Juraga
; Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Darko Roviš
; Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Aleksandar Racz
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Rukavina
; Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Rijeka, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Facing a malignant disease, surgery and creation of an intestinal stoma is a complex
process in anyone’s life. Adjusting to a new way of life can be complicated, stressful and challenging
for patients. With continued education from professional caregivers, the patient and/or family can
avoid or mitigate adverse events and improve the quality of life of stoma carriers. The aim of this study
was to investigate the quality of life of stoma patients and their relationship with health education in
hospital in a qualitative way. Th e present study included 15 patients of both sexes older than 18 years
and living with a stoma for at least one year after surgery. Patients were interviewed using a semistructured
interview, which was recorded. Transcripts were made and analyzed after the interview. A
total of 6 women and 9 men aged between 40 and 86 years took part in the study. The results show
that patients were very satisfi ed with health education they received in hospital, but their subjective
experience of the quality of life was not satisfactory in all areas analyzed, such as travel and social life.
Stoma has an impact on the participants’ quality of life. High quality health education of patients by
professionals, as well as family and social support play an important role in the lives of stoma patients.
These are protective factors that improve the participants’ quality of life.
Keywords
Health education; Surgical stoma; Quality of life
Hrčak ID:
322010
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2024.
Visits: 0 *