Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
14:32
Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Finding meaning in illness. Can nurses help?
R Davidhizar1, J N Giger, V Poole
1Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana, USA.
The Canadian Nurse
|January 6, 2001
Summary
People facing serious illnesses often question the fairness and reasons behind their suffering. This study explores the psychological impact of these common, existential questions during chronic or life-threatening conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Medical Sociology
- Existential Psychology
Background:
- Patients with life-threatening or chronic illnesses frequently express feelings of injustice and question the reasons for their suffering.
- Commonly voiced sentiments include "Why me?" and "Am I being punished?" reflecting a search for meaning and fairness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychological and existential themes present in patient comments regarding chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
- To analyze the common questions patients ask when confronting severe health challenges.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of patient statements and common comments.
- Thematic analysis of expressed sentiments to identify recurring patterns.
Main Results:
- Identified recurring themes of injustice, blame, and a search for meaning in patient narratives.
- "Why me?" and "Am I being punished?" emerged as central existential questions.
Conclusions:
- The profound emotional and existential distress experienced by patients with severe illnesses warrants further psychological and supportive care.
- Understanding these common questions is crucial for healthcare providers to offer empathetic and effective patient support.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Aims Of Nursing
Nursing involves independent, cooperative, person-centered care for people of all ages, families, groups, and communities. Nurses assist the sick or the well person in all settings. Nursing includes promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for ill, disabled, and dying people. Health promotion encourages people to take responsibility for their health. It focuses on the healthy behavior of individuals, families, and the community and the factors that impact their health. Examples of...
01:17Classification of Illness
The meaning of illness is individualized to each person who experiences an alteration in health. In contrast, disease is a medical term indicating a pathological change in the structure and function of the body or mind. It is a condition that has specific symptoms and boundaries.
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
01:13Patient-centered Care
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...
01:24Critical Thinking I
Critical thinking helps decision-making and allows nurses to recognize barriers to success and find solutions to possible issues. It helps to brainstorm and implement ideas to achieve goals. Critical thinking helps acknowledge and state workflow inefficiencies while improving management techniques. Nurses understand the value of critical thinking and look for fellow nurses with critical thinking skills to upgrade their professional standards. Critical thinking can advance a nurse's career with...
01:22Nursing Diagnosis
Following assessment, a nursing diagnosis is the next step in the nursing process. It begins after the nurse has collected and recorded the patient data. The purpose of diagnosing is to identify how the client responds to actual or potential health processes, identify factors that bestow or that cause health problems, the etiologies, and identify resources or strengths the individual, group, or community can draw on to prevent or resolve problems.
The nursing diagnosis focuses on evidence-based...
The nursing diagnosis focuses on evidence-based...
01:25Formulating and Validating Nursing Diagnosis II
Nursing diagnoses represent a problem validated by major defining characteristics. There are four categories of nursing diagnoses: problem-focused, risk, health promotion or wellness, and syndrome. The anatomy of a nursing diagnosis includes three components: problem statement or diagnostic label, defining characteristics, and related factors.
Risk nursing diagnoses represent clinical judgments of an individual, family, or community more vulnerable to developing the health problem than others...
Risk nursing diagnoses represent clinical judgments of an individual, family, or community more vulnerable to developing the health problem than others...