Understanding knee osteoarthritis from the patients' perspective: a qualitative study
Victoria Carmona-Terés1, Jenny Moix-Queraltó1, Enriqueta Pujol-Ribera2,3
1Department of Basic, Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Psychology Faculty, Building B. UAB Campus, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|June 1, 2017
Summary
Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) need personalized care addressing psychological distress. Understanding their experiences and coping strategies is key for effective self-management interventions.
Area of Science:
- Health Psychology
- Qualitative Research
- Patient-Centered Care
Background:
- No published studies explore Health Coach Interventions for knee osteoarthritis (OA) incorporating patient perspectives.
- This study examines clinical practice and primary care advice from the patient viewpoint.
- Aims to co-design a coaching psychology intervention by understanding patient experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze knee OA patients' experiences, perceptions, cognitive evaluations, values, emotions, beliefs, and coping strategies.
- Investigate the impact of these factors on self-management of knee OA.
- Inform the participative design of a complex health coaching intervention.
Main Methods:
- Interpretative qualitative study involving ten semi-structured interviews with knee OA patients.
- Participants recruited from four primary health care centers in Barcelona.
- Content thematic analysis using Lazarus framework and emergent coding.
Main Results:
- Patients receive information primarily from health professionals; aware of weight management benefits but face challenges implementing lifestyle changes.
- Cognitive evaluation of knee OA is affected by distortions like catastrophism and dramatization.
- Key values include family and helping others; common emotions are anxiety and sadness; beliefs about physiotherapy vary; overweight-pain link recognized.
Conclusions:
- Knee OA patients require a person-centered approach.
- Interventions should provide strategies to manage psychological distress associated with knee OA.
- Co-designing interventions with patient perspectives is crucial for effective self-management support.
