Transition to becoming a leukaemia patient: or putting up barriers which increase patient isolation

When two or more persons, e.g. nurses and patients, act together interaction takes place. The expectations of nurses and their definition of the patient's illness status affect their behaviour towards the patient and how they practice nursing. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction between adults with leukaemia and their nurses and how this interaction affected the individual. Grounded theory method guided the data collection and analysis. Four adults with leukaemia and their nursing staff were observed for 124 h in a haematological ward. The core category emerging from the data was transition--the individual passing from one phase to another. This denotes a change in role relations, in expectations and in abilities. The individual makes their transition in three stages. First, the person seeks out information in the corridors and at the same time tries to maintain social status. Next, the patient accepts the disease in the confines of their room and feels insecure in a totally new situation and role. Finally, the leukaemia patient isolates themselves within the confines of the bed, and becomes aware of the leukaemia and its side-effects.