Lived experience of Korean women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis: a phenomenological approach

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sufferers number approximately 200 million people around the world. In Korea, there is no accurate statistical information, but 1-2% of the total population have been estimated to be suffering from RA. Current research studies related to RA have been limited to quantitative approaches. In qualitative studies, most research has been focused on one aspect of the experience of patients with RA, such as pain or fatigue. In order to address the problems of patients with chronic disease, like RA, a comprehensive approach should be demanded concerning various aspects of the patient's life in terms of perspectives of the patients with RA. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the illness experience of women with RA in Korea using a phenomenological methodology. Participants were five women who were diagnosed with RA. The transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's (In: Vails, R.S., King, M. (Eds.), Existential Phenomenological Alternatives for Psychology. Oxford University Press, New York, 1978) method. The results of this study identified 8 major theme clusters, which were 'severe pain', 'self-esteem', 'negative feelings', 'reflect the past life', 'concentrate on recovery from disease', 'a comfortable mind in pain', 'support of family and others', and 'new life'. These results may provide important information to establish effective interventions for women with RA, their families, and health providers through understanding various aspects of the lived experience of women with RA. The implications for nursing practice in this area of chronic illness such as RA, should be how patients can be empowered to believe they can take control of their disease and their lives.