Citation

Filhour LD. J. Trauma Nurs. 2017; 24(3): 193-202.

Affiliation

Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Society of Trauma Nurses)

DOI

10.1097/JTN.0000000000000289

PMID

28486326

Abstract

Using a phenomenological design, the researcher explored the question of what is the experience of suffering as voiced by male patients 7-12 months after hospitalization for blunt trauma. Seventeen male volunteers were interviewed and asked questions about how they suffered, what made their suffering more or less bearable, and how they were transformed through their suffering. Participants experienced changes in patterns resulting in a perception of suffering. Participants reported mostly experiencing physical, emotional, and social forms of suffering, whereas fewer experienced economic and spiritual suffering. Experiences of suffering resulted from the threat to their normal state or sense of wholeness because of their injuries. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors were identified, making the participants' suffering more or less bearable as they regained their lost state of normal. Positive attitude and motivation were significant intrinsic factors, whereas quality supportive care was the most significant extrinsic factor. Poor quality care was a significant negative extrinsic factor resulting in experiences of increased suffering. Through their experiences of suffering, the participants were transformed, amending their previous state of normal. Knowledge gained through this phenomenological study may be useful to nurses in guiding their care to alleviate patients' suffering and help them find meaning.

Language: en