The lived experiences of people with inflammatory bowel diseases: A phenomenological hermeneutic study

The aim of this research was to provide an in-depth study about the life experiences of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

The phenomenological (hermeneutic) method was used to analyse data. The data were collected between March 25 and July 1, 2019. A homogeneous group of 25 patients were included as participants by purposeful sampling methods. Interviews were conducted in the hospital patient-education room.

The results of this study emphasize the importance of understanding the fears, worries, difficulties and life experiences of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Three main themes were identified: a flare phase of the disease, a remission period and coping behaviours. Study findings included the experiences of social isolation; inability to perform daily activities of living and to work; stress in the flare phase of the disease; concerns about the future in the remission phase and physical and spiritual strategies used for coping.

Coping with the physical symptoms and emotional difficulties of inflammatory bowel diseases can prevent patients from living a normal life. The results of this article highlight the importance of understanding the fear, anxiety, difficulties and life experiences of these patients.